MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- A 79-year-old Rockvale woman says her purse was stolen and she was nearly runner over by the thief as he made his getaway.
Middleton Driver resident Bertha L. Belue was putting her groceries in her car in the parking lot of the Old Fort Parkway Kroger store early yesterday afternoon.
Belue and several witnesses tell police that a man snatched her purse out of the shopping cart, then jumped into a nearby truck. As the suspect accelerated away, witnesses say he nearly ran over Ms. Belue.
Just minutes later, an officer responding to the same call passed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s truck. Once stopped, police say 23-year-old Colby A. Hazelip admitted to stealing the purse. Witnesses were brought to the scene and they reportedly confirmed that Hazelip was the thief.
Hazelip has been charged with Robbery and Aggravated Assault. His initial appearance in Rutherford County General Sessions Court is scheduled for November 5, 2015.