Man arrested and charged for attacking 911 dispatcher outside Philadelphia Police Headquarters
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A 40-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the robbery of a city worker in front of Philadelphia police headquarters, the District Attorney Office's announced on Saturday. The DA's office charged Lonnie Watlington with aggravated assault, robbery, theft and related offenses.
Authorities say Watlington ran up behind a woman on the morning of Sept. 15 and grabbed her purse violently pulling her to the ground. He then pulled her for 10 to 15 feet before taking her bag containing credit and debit cards and personal items.
The woman suffered cuts to her arm during the incident, which required treatment at the hospital.
Later that same day of the alleged robbery, authorities say police encountered a man panhandling at a convenient store. After purchasing food for the man, they reviewed a patrol alert and realized the man might've been responsible for the robbery outside police headquarters.
Detectives then reviewed surveillance video, which contained footage of the panhandling man wearing the same clothing as the one involved in the robbery, according to police. An updated patrol alert was then issued.
On Sept. 21, officers spotted Watlington on the 300 block of North Columbus Boulevard, authorities say. He was then taken into custody.