| Purse snatchings in the Dayton area news |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Monday, 25 July 2005 | |
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Commentary by Larry S. Moore, OFCC Senate District 10 Coordinator: WHIO-TV and WDTN-TV, Dayton, are reporting a string of purse snatching incidents over the last week ranging from Dayton, Huber Heights, Troy, Beavercreek, Riverside, Kettering, and Springfield. It appears that no community, shopping area, or gas station is immune from the trend. WHIO-TV reported that one incident was outside the no guns Aldi Store on Linden Avenue. Aldi stores in the Dayton area have long been posted. Aldi's policy clearly leaves shoppers in danger as criminals know any victims will be unarmed. WHIO-TV is also reporting one incident outside a popular restaurant location in Troy. This is a state mandated victim zone since the restaurant does serve alcohol. In some cases, alert citizens reacted to the crime. One citizen assisted by helping police tracking the vehicle and maintaining cell phone contact. Another attempted to stop the purse snatchers and was slightly injured for his efforts. WDTN is reporting that the "Purse Snatchers Strike Again" this time in broad daylight at a BP gas station. This incident was more violent as the woman was dragged a short distance. The car identified is a blue Saturn Vue and is linked to other similar incidents. The latest report from WDTN-TV is from Clark County where purse snatchings have occurred in Troy and at the Upper Valley Mall, Springfield. The suspect has twice eluded police in chases. The suspect was last driving a green Dodge Caravan. These incidents reflect several common threads. Anyone, day or night, can become a crime victim. Criminals do pick their targets. Generally targets are chosen who are careless with their purses or otherwise pre-occupied with daily activities. In all cases, the police agencies are asking for citizens to be alert and contact police with any information. Some of the locations are posted for no guns and others are not. Anyone who carries their handgun in a purse or fanny pack should take special note of these crimes. Purse snatchings seem to increasingly be in the news lately. Choose carefully how you carry your firearm. Losing a purse, money, and credit cards will be bad. Loosing your firearm would be worse. Trip To Grocery Store Leads To Purse-Snatching Woman's Purse Snatched Outside Troy Restaurant Violent Purse Snatching Leads to Two Arrests Purse Snatcher Grabs the Attention of Local Police Purse Snatchers Strike Again Purse Snatcher Eludes Police |