Windsor Police have a suspect in custody after a rash of purse snatchings in the downtown area over the last three months.  During this time period, investigators have employed various techniques in an effort to identify the suspect(s) responsible for these robberies.

On Friday, January 29, 2010 an undercover male officer dressed himself in an effort to look like an elderly female complete with a wig, a walking cane and carrying a purse .  At 5:45 p.m. on Friday, this officer began walking westbound on the sidewalk on Wyandotte St near Langlois Ave.  Several other plainclothes officers were also in the area monitoring the officer's movement.  As the disguised officer approached Langlois Ave,  the surveillance officers observed a suspect watching the disguised officer from the parking lot at the convenience store located at Wyandotte St at Langlois Ave.  As the "decoy" officer walked by the store, the suspect began to follow behind him at a distance.  Surveillance officers recognized the man as a suspect possibly responsible for other robberies in the area.

The "decoy" officer turned left and began walking southbound on Marentette St. on the east sidewalk with the suspect still following.  As the "decoy" officer approached Tuscarora St. surveillance officers observed the suspect also now walking south on Marentette St. at a quicker pace closing the gap between him and the "decoy".  As the "decoy" crossed Tuscarora St. surveillance officers watched as the suspect ran up to the decoy officer, pushed him to the ground from behind, and grabbed the purse. The suspect ran north on Marentette St. then east on Tuscarora with the "decoy" officer pursuing him on foot.  The suspect dropped the purse on Tuscarora. Surveillance officers flooded the area and were able to arrest the suspect in a back yard of a residence in the 800 block of Tuscarora St after a struggle.

The "decoy" officer sustained a slightly sprained wrist and some contusions on his knee as a result of the fall. 

A 16 year old male is facing a charge of robbery and resisting arrest in relation to this incident.  He has been remanded into custody.  Windsor Police are still investigating the rash of robberies in this area. Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is asked to call Windsor Police Investigations at 519-255-6700 ext 4830 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-TIPS (8477)