Peachtree City Police nabbed

two purse snatching suspects Wednesday morning who stole a wallet from

a 70-year-old Tyrone woman shopping at the Kroger on Ga. Highway 74 north.

Alton Barker, 44, of Union

City and James Andrews, 62, of Atlanta, are both charged with aggravated

purse snatching since the victim was over 65 years old, according to Peachtree

City Police Chief Jim Murray.

Both men have extensive criminal

records and are being investigated for forging checks at the same Kroger

store, Murray said. They may also be responsible for other purse snatching

incidents in the county, including a number of incidents at the Fayette

Pavilion, he added.

The victim was shopping with

her purse on her arm when Barker reached in, grabbed the wallet and tossed

it to Andrews, Murray said. Andrews eventually fled the scene in a car,

leaving Barker behind, the chief said.

Officers were able to respond

to the scene quickly and arrest Barker while Tyrone police assisted in

apprehending Andrews soon after the incident, Murray said. No one was

hurt, he added.

Murray said the incident is

proof that serious criminals are making their way to Peachtree City, but

he felt confident that the judicial system will make an example of them

when the cases go to court.

Murray added that the quick

response was crucial to making the arrests. The timing was particularly

key because officers were performing special duties in the area and were

nearby when needed to respond.

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