A local man will be charged with robbery and other crimes after Penn Police arrested him Friday at the scene of a purse theft.
Police received a report at about 6 a.m. Thursday of the handbag-snatching on the 200 block of St. Mark's Square, which runs between 42nd and 43rd streets.
A woman -- in her early 20s and unaffiliated with the University -- was reportedly walking to work when a man approached her on a bike. He allegedly grabbed the bag that she was carrying and continued riding, fleeing south on St. Mark's Square, then west on Locust Street.
The suspect escaped with a cell phone and a wallet containing about $20 in cash, credit cards and identification.
Officers on routine patrol Friday spotted a man on the 200 block of St. Mark's Square who matched the description given of the robber from the previous morning.
The man -- Jonathan Walker, 34, of the 4400 block of Holden Street in West Philadelphia -- was taken into custody and brought in for questioning. The stolen items were soon recovered, with the exception of the cash.
Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Mike Morrin said that Walker has been charged with robbery, theft and receiving stolen property.
Morrin said that the patrol officers who made the arrest did an "excellent job," adding that their vigilance and swift action were instrumental in catching the suspect.
