Remorseful Robber Returns Stolen Items To Frightened Woman
PLAISTOW, N.H. (CBS) – A purse snatching robber in New Hampshire is begging forgiveness, but neither police nor the victim are buying his apology.
A woman named Berny was shopping at her local grocery store last week when her purse was stolen. She said the purse was sitting in her cart while she turned her back. Before she knew it, it was gone.
She couldn't believe it when a seemingly remorseful robber showed up on her doorstep a few days later and returned her things.
"I couldn't say anything. Literally just stood there," she told WBZ-TV.
WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk reports
Surveillance video captured the suspect. You can see him shoving Berny's things in his pocket and rushing out. The robber made off with Berny's wallet, GPS and $90 bucks.
He brought them all back, including an extra $10 and a letter.
The letter is addressed to "the lady I victimized." The robber begs forgiveness and says the purse snatching was out of character and claims he'll never do it again. It's signed, "Stupid"
Berny has a good heart. She wanted to forgive and forget and thought about asking police to go easy on the robber.
"I said gee if the police ask me if he should be prosecuted, I thought maybe I'll suggest community service…then boom. The next day I found out it happened again."
Police say this robber is a pro who has done it before and is only sorry he got caught. He didn't return the items until his picture was in the local paper.
"It's very calculated the way how he performed this crime," said Lt. William Baldwin of the Plaistow Police Department. "I believe he's done this many times before."
Berny was scared at first, but now she just wants someone caught.
"I definitely want him to be caught because he has to answer for what he did."
Read: The apology letter (.pdf)
Investigators say he was also seen in a neighboring town by an off-duty police officer, but got away.
They were able to update their description of him:
- White male with fair skin
- 5'10 and heavy set
- Blue eyes
- Late 20's – mid 30's
- Light brown, short hair with light brown close cropped beard and mustache
- Name brand baseball caps (Nike/Patriots)
- Dark colored, older cargo shorts w/large pockets
- Dark colored name brand T-shirts (Nike)
- Converse high top, light gray sneakers (like new) or sandals
- He drives a newer red car, "like a station wagon but not one."
Anyone with information should call the Plaistow Police Department at 603-382-1200.
