Massachusetts State Police

2 Arrests Made in Robbery of Elderly Woman, Victim's Family Relieved Suspects Are Behind Bars

Two people arrested in connection with robbery

Police arrested two people Saturday in connection with the robbery of an elderly woman near her home in Quincy, Massachusetts, earlier this week.

Quincy police say 26-year-old Kayla Noel-Brown of Quincy and 27-year-old Markell Cruz of Somerville are behind bars in connection with the incident.

Ninety-two-year-old Doris Prendiville's family is relieved to say the least.

Massachusetts State Police say a trooper saw the suspects walking towards Northampton Street. The trooper recognized them from pictures that were posted by Quincy police on social media.

When the trooper approached the suspects, the female identified herself as "Nancy Brown." Once he confirmed that the people in front of him were likely the suspects, he contacted a Quincy detective and an arrest was made.

Both are facing several charges, including unarmed robbery.

Police say the suspects approached Prendiville last week as she was walking back to an elderly living complex on Clay Street in Quincy after getting the Sunday newspaper at a nearby CVS.

Prendiville told police a man in his 30's came out of nowhere, pushed her to the ground, and took off with her pocketbook.

The violent purse snatching was caught on camera.

Prendiville suffered a broken sternum, sprained fingers, and cuts and bruises all over.

Prendiville's daughter, Chris, talked to NBC Boston/necn over the phone about the arrest of her mother's attackers, saying people want money so badly that they are willing to do anything to anybody to get it.

At the Brown family household, Noel-Brown's grandfather came to her defense, saying his granddaughter met the wrong guy.

"She had no idea he was going to do that. Kayla stayed there and helped her up and that's how they got her picture."

The police did confirm that Noel-Brown helped the victim up after she was attacked.

Both suspects will be in Quincy District Court on Monday.

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