Alleged Market Basket Purse Snatcher Arrested

say the man who from an 86-year-old woman as she was loading her groceries at Saturday evening has been arrested.

At 9:48 p.m. Monday, police arrested Ryan William Hughes, 34, of 6 Cousins St., on a charge of larceny from a person 60 or over. Police arrested Hughes at his home.

Police said search warrants had been obtained for the Cousins Street residence as part of an investigation while the victim was two feet away.

Police said they conducted several hours of surveillance on the Cousins Street apartment before making the arrest.

"Ryan Hughes refused to speak with these officers and refused to sign the Miranda card," police said.

In addition to Patrolmen Robert Cunningham and Thomas Pelletier, Detectives Dennis Gaudet, Thomas Brennan and Kevin St. Pierre responded to assist with the investigation, police said.

A woman at the residence, who was later summonsed for larceny, told police Hughes stole the purse while they were at Market Basket and she drove from the scene.

Police said a sweatshirt with the letters "S.O.A." was found in a bedroom. On Saturday, police reported the suspect was sweatshirt.

Police said a 18-month-old child was present during the larceny. As such, the Department of Children and Families will be notified by the Salem Police Department.