New Castle Man Arrested For Purse Snatching

NEW CASTLE (KDKA) - A New Castle man is behind bars today accused in two purse snatching incidents and stealing a car.

Officials say it all started when 36-year-old Robert Hilke allegedly stole a purse from a woman at a Giant Eagle parking lot.

State Police arrested Hilke on Saturday in Lawrence County in a separate incident after he allegedly grabbed Valerie Mayfield's purse out of her shopping cart in a Wal Mart parking lot.

Authorities say he drove off at a high speed that eventually ended in vehicle crash.

Police report that Hilke hit a car at a stop sign at the intersection of West Washington Street and continued speeding until his vehicle went airborne and struck a railroad sign.

Hilke suffered a cut to his face and a female passenger in his car was uninjured.

Charges are pending in the Wal Mart incident and traffic crashes.

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