Massachusetts

Man Accused of Knocking Woman Down in Robbery Arrested After Crashing Into Police Cruiser

Police say a suspect who allegedly snatched a woman's purse and knocked her to the ground Monday in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was arrested Tuesday after another purse snatching and crashing into a police cruiser.

Police said a 76-year-old woman was attacked outside Citizens Bank on Dartmouth Street shortly before 10 a.m. Monday. Authorities announced they were searching for 40-year-old Miguel Brasil.

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, police say a detective sergeant spotted Brasil snatching the purse of a 72-year-old Dartmouth woman at a Rite Aid on Dartmouth Street. He allegedly got in the same vehicle he used to flee after the first purse snatching and drove off.

Police from Dartmouth and New Bedford combed the area and found him driving on Grape Street in New Bedford. Police said he was speeding when he slammed into a police cruiser.

According to police, Brasil resisted arrest before being taken into custody. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital to be evaluated after the crash.

"This is an outstanding example of this department's commitment to making sure this rogue and dangerous individual was quickly taken off the street for the egregious crimes that he committed," Dartmouth Police Chief Brian Levesque said in a statement.

People in the area were shocked by Monday's crime.

"It's absolutely crazy that someone could actually do that to an elderly woman," said Citizens Bank customer Victoria Bergeron.

"Whatever he did to that person, someone should do it to him," said Rick Teixeira, who lives across the street from the bank. "Let him get a taste of it."

The victim Monday received minor injuries and was evaluated at the scene by EMS personnel.

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