Deputies in Marion County say they have arrested a suspect in the snatching of a 79-year-old woman's purse at an Ocala Walmart store.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies were called to the Walmart on SW Highway 200 in Ocala about a robbery.
Deputies said they spoke with the 79-year-old victim, who told them she was putting items in the trunk of her car when the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Antonette Florido, approach her and grabbed her purse from her shoulder.
Investigators say the victim struggled with Florido before she took the purse, which contained the victim's wallet, money, credit cards and cell phone for a total loss of $500. The victim told deputies she chased Florido and screamed for help, and as Florido attempted to get into a white car and leave the parking lot, several bystanders intervened and attempted to get Florido out of the car.
One of those bystanders was 47-year-old Lori Burns. Burns says she went to Walmart Saturday afternoon to get some juice with her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend.
“When we pulled into the parking lot, we got out of the vehicle and was kind of just talking and all of a sudden I hear thus woman hollering, ‘Help, Help,’” said Burns.
Burns says her daughter’s boyfriend ran to Florido’s car and opened her door to try and stop her. Burns says that’s when she came running up to the car and Florido put the car in reverse, hitting both of them.
Burns says she didn’t hesitate to help.
"Might keep more people from wanting to try and pull this stunt out there in public to realize there are people that are going to help those and not just stand there and watch it happen,” says Burns.
Florido fled the scene, but witnesses were able to get a description and a license plate number, deputies said.
Detectives said they obtained store surveillance video that shows Florido filing her taxes at the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service kiosk located inside the Walmart. The Jackson Hewitt employee said that Florido left after she found out she wasn't getting any money back on her taxes, deputies said.
The employee was able to provide Florido's identification and address. Detectives said they responded to the area of Florido's residence and found her nearby, cleaning out the car they say she used to commit the robbery.
Deputies arrested Florido and charged her with robbery by sudden snatching without a weapon, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of cocaine and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Deputies said the victim's purse and cell phone were found discarded in the road near the 7700th block of SW Highway 484, but her credit cards and cash were not found.