Suspect Arrested Twice In Less Than A Week For Stealing Purses At Atlantic City Beach
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) - A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged for stealing a woman's purse at the beach on Monday morning, according to Atlantic City police.
Authorities were called out to North Carolina Avenue a little after 11 a.m. for a report of a purse stolen from a beach towel. A witness told beach patrol she saw a white man, wearing a white shirt and black shorts and a red Phillies cap take the purse and flee onto North Carolina Avenue.
Atlantic City Beach Patrol Captain Mark Brestle alerted police of the suspect's description and the direction in which he was headed. During that time, the victim was in the ocean, unaware of the theft until notified by lifeguards.
Police spotted the suspect, later identified as Shaun Rhodes of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, running into the Burgundy Inn on the 100 block of south North Carolina Avenue. Police found Rhodes inside a guestroom, in possession of the cash from the purse. He allegedly admitted to the theft and showed police where he got rid of it and its other contents.
Rhodes was also arrested on July 26 for a purse theft on Chelsea Avenue. Boardwalk Ambassador Ryan Mazzeo, saw Rhodes at the Rodeway Inn and called police after a report of a purse theft at a restaurant in the beach block of Chelsea Avenue. Rhodes was released on a summons on July 26th.
Police say Rhodes fits the description of a man wanted for several other purse thefts from the beach and area restaurants. Those cases are active and he may face additional charges.
