For the Gazette

XENIA — A woman accused of stealing a 74-year-old woman’s purse was arrested in Xenia Wednesday morning.

According to a release from the Xenia Police Division, Stephanie Howell allegedly stole the woman’s purse from out of her cart while in the Aldi store on North Allison Avenue.

“The victim saw the suspect with the purse still inside the store and confronted her to get the purse back,” the police release stated. “Another patron came to the assistance of the victim and they were able to retrieve the purse. During the struggle, the victim sustained cuts and scrapes to her arm.”

According to police, the suspect fled and was apprehended a short distance away from the scene.

Howell was charged with third-degree felony robbery because she allegedly used force in the commission of the theft. Her case is open in Xenia Municipal Court. Howell was taken to the Greene County Jail on $7,500 bond.