East Setauket Man Arrested for Purse Snatching

Following an investigation by Fifth Squad detectives, police have arrested John Walsh of East Setauket along with a Mt. Sinai woman for allegedly robbing a 67-year-old woman of her purse on Friday afternoon.

According to police reports, Walsh, 40, approached the victim in the parking lot of the Sun-Vet Mall on Sunrise Highway in Holbrook at about 1 p.m. to ask for directions. The victim, whom police have not identified, began to assist him. Walsh allegedly then grabbed her purse and jumped into a car, which was driven by another individual. When the victim attempted to take back her purse, she was pushed to the ground and both suspects fled the scene.

Police also arrested Vikki Samsoe, 41, of Mt. Sinai for assisting in the purse snatching. The two were charged with burglary in the second degree and were scheduled for arraignment Jan. 23.

Long Island has seen a string of purse snatching incidents in recent weeks, with Nassau County police recently making .