Police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for a purse snatching involving an 81-year-old woman in Coral Gables.
The suspect was arrested and has been charged with robbery by sudden snatching and grand theft, both third-degree felonies.
Robbery by sudden snatching differs from strong-arm robbery in that the state is not required to prove that force was used or threatened. Robbery by sudden snatching merely requires proof that the theft took place by a sudden snatching of the alleged victim's property by the accused. Essentially, this crime specifically targets purse-snatching incidents that may not rise to the level of a strong-arm robbery.
The accused is being held without a bond because he was out on bond for a previous grand theft charge.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney serving Miami-Dade and Broward.