Troopers: Bear Man Charged With Robbery In Bus Stop Purse Snatching

Bear – The Delaware State Police have arrested 33-year-old Thomas P. Coleman of Bear in connection with a purse snatching that took place at a bus stop in the Fairwinds area of Bear just before noon on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:54 a.m., Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at a bus located on Pulaski Hwy. (US 40), in the area of Holly Avenue. A 51-year-old woman was standing at the bus stop when she was approached by Coleman. Coleman snatched the victim’s cell-phone from her hand and then grabbed her purse which was slung over her shoulder, according to police. A brief struggle ensued however Coleman was able to take possession of the purse before fleeing on foot towards Holly Ave. The victim was not injured as a result of the incident.

Coleman was identified as the suspect through investigative measures and was taken into custody without incident on November 22, 2019, when he was observed walking along Pulaski Highway in the area of Walmart.

He was transported back to Troop 2 where he was charged with Robbery Second Degree.  Coleman was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $6,000 cash-only bail.