An Alliance woman celebrating her 84th birthday was attacked and robbed while taking her morning walk, authorities said.
The assailant shoved the woman face down on a sidewalk and took her purse before running away about 7:40 a.m. Thursday.
The woman told police that she was most upset that she had lost her rosary in the attack, police said.
Authorities arrested Mark A. Patrick, 21, of Alliance, after investigators discovered a local business had contact with him minutes before the assault.
The Mahoning Avenue business photocopied Patrick’s driver’s license and videotaped him. Authorities began a search for him shortly after a positive identification was made.
Patrick was located about 1 p.m. at South Arch Avenue and East Cambridge Street. He was taken into custody without incident on an outstanding warrant alleging breaking and entering in an earlier incident.
Police said Patrick confessed during questioning and led officers to a wooded area where the stolen purse and contents were recovered. He had the woman’s cash in his possession, police said.
The woman was admitted to Alliance Community Hospital with injuries, including multiple broken bones, contusions and bruises after a passing motorist found her lying on the sidewalk and called police.
Police did not release her condition.
Patrick was charged with aggravated robbery and breaking and entering on the previous warrant. He was being held in the Stark County Jail on $50,000 bond and scheduled to be arraigned Friday.
Officers visited the woman at the hospital and returned her rosary Thursday afternoon.
