SHARE

Suspect In Purse-Snatching Attempt At Bronxville Church Caught, Police Say

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - Following an investigation, police in Bronxville, with an assist from detectives in Dobbs Ferry, have arrested a man who allegedly attempted to steal an elderly woman's purse at the Church of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph's Church in Bronxville.

St. Joseph's Church in Bronxville.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Officers were dispatched to the Church on Cedar Street shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, after church staff members were told of the incident and alerted police.

According to police, the 65-year-old woman reported that an unknown man used distraction to gain possession of her purse. She was able to retrieve her purse from the man, who then attempted to convince her to leave the church grounds because they were exterminating, police said.

Detectives launched an exhaustive investigation, which led to the arrest of 34-year-old Bronx resident Anton Nrecaj, who has been charged with a felony count of fourth-degree grand larceny. Police in Dobbs Ferry have also filed charges against him for a similar incident in May.

Police utilized church and village surveillance cameras, parking data from the City of Yonkers and received assistance from the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Westchester County Intelligence Center to develop leads that led to the arrest of Nrecaj.

Nrecaj has been remanded to the Westchester County Department of Corrections and is due back in court later this year. 

to follow Daily Voice Eastchester and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE