Accused purse snatcher arrested

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - A Springfield man accused of stalking his victims at a local grocery store, turned himself into authorites, at his mother's urging, on Monday morning.

23-year old Matthew Nichols was charged with two counts of Robbery. Authorities said he snatched the purses of two women at the Kroger on East Main street, in Springfield. One of his victims was 59-years old, the other 86.

Nichols told 2 News he had no comment has was led in to jail. He hung his head down, and was quiet, but authorities said he appeared to be quite chatty when he approached his victims at Kroger.

Surveillance video obtained from Kroger showed Nichols following 86-year old Mary Johnson out of the Kroger store. Authorities said he tried to talk to her in the parking lot, saying he had lost his car. Johnson told 2 News he seemed nice, but she ignored him, and kept walking. Authorities said Nichols followed her, and snatched her purse off her arm, as the elderly woman tried to load groceries into her car.

"There was not a significant loss, but certainly these women were targets. They've been traumatized and victimized, and lost personal items in their purse," said Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly.

Johnson said, now she cannot sleep at night. "Oh I went hysteric. I couldn't believe it, I started screaming, he stole my purse," said Johnson.

Authorities believed the motive for the crimes was Nichols' addiction to drugs. "He indicated when he came in, that he was "dope sick". That's still no excuse for targeting women and engaging in violent criminal behavio,." said Sheriff Kelly.

Nichols only said,. "I'm innocent until proven guilty," as authorities led him into jail.

Johnson said she hoped he would learn his less. "I prayed for him, and I forgive his sins. I hope someday he realizes what bad things he's doing and changes his whole life," said Johnson.

Nichols will be arraigned on both counts on Tuesday morning.

The Sheriff had some advice elderly people who were out running errands. Kelly encouraged them to try to shop with a partner, stating, statistics showed you are much less likely to become the victim of any crime if you have somebody with you.