On December 23, a woman encountered a man while leaving get off work at Erie Insurance Arena. The man robbed her purse and cellphone at knifepoint.
But the alleged offender was caught quickly thanks to the quick actions of some co-workers and the help of Erie Insurance security cameras, according to Erie police.
Erie police reported that the alleged robber was found hiding behind a building and was taken into custody in the 700 block of Holland Street minutes after a report of a robbery. The man was taken to a hospital and faces charges of robbery, terroristic threats and possession of criminal tools, according to Erie police and city police arrest records.
As of December 24, charges against the man had not been filed and he had not yet been arraigned.
More: Erie man charged with armed robbery sentenced to prison
Confrontations outside of work
The robbery was reported on December 23 at approximately 1:15 p.m. According to police, a woman was leaving get off work at Erie Insurance Arena and walking to her car when a man approached her with a knife and demanded her wallet and other belongings. The man fled with the woman’s purse and cell phone, and two of the woman’s co-workers chased him, police reports said.
Police Chief Dan Spizarny said Dec. 24 that police also reviewed surveillance footage from Erie Insurance security cameras and were able to quickly locate the suspect.
The woman was not injured during the robbery.
Please contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared in the Erie Times News: Erie PA Police nab suspect in knifepoint robbery of off-duty woman