MAN ARRESTED FOR SNATCHING PURSE

A TRAFFIC STOP FOR A SEAT BELT VIOLATION HELPED AUTHORITIES CAPTURE A MAN WANTED FOR TAKING A PURSE FROM AN ELDERLY WOMAN LAST WEEK.  CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES STOPPED A CAR TUESDAY EVENING AFTER NOTICING THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS NOT WEARING HIS SAFETY RESTRAINT.  DEPUTIES SEARCHED THE DRIVER, 37 YEAR OLD ROBERT ALLEN OF PORT CHARLOTTE, AND FOUND A CRACK PIPE WITH COCAINE RESIDUE IN HIS PANTS.  ALLEN BROKE AWAY FROM A DEPUTY AND BEGAN TO RUN, BUT TWO BACK-UP OFFICERS BROUGHT HIM DOWN.  A CHECK OF OUTSTANDING WARRANTS FOUND THAT ALLEN WAS WANTED FOR THE JUNE 7^TH PURSE SNATCHING OF A 93 YEAR OLD WOMAN AT A CIRCLE K STORE AT US 41 AND WEST TARPON BOULEVARD.  WHILE INTERVIEWING ALLEN, DETECTIVES NOTICED HE WAS STILL WEARING THE SAME NIKE SHOES WITH GOLD LACES AND A WHITE STRIPE THAT WERE SEEN IN SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FROM TWO PORT CHARLOTTE STORES WHERE HE MADE PURCHASES WITH STOLEN CREDIT CARDS FROM THE WOMAN’S WALLET.  ALLEN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON NUMEROUS ROBBERY AND DRUG CHARGES, AND HE IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND DUE TO AN EXTENSIVE PRIOR CRIMINAL HISTORY IN LEE COUNTY AND OUT OF STATE.