Purse Theft Turns Violent

According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, in the Isani-Samgori district of Tbilisi, an 18-year-old man stole a purse from a woman and fled as he was chased by a man whom eventually caught up with him; however, the young man pulled out a knife and wounded the pursuer while getting away.

The accused was caught by the police and detained. The attacker had an accomplice whom only showed himself when the police detained the young man. After he was detained, the accomplice approached one of the policemen and began assaulting him in order to free his friend. The police detained him as well.

A criminal case was brought against the detainees, the unnamed man whom stole a purse and wounded a 26-year-old man is charged with robbery and attempted murder, which is punishable by prison sentence of 7 to 15 years.

The second detainee is accused of resisting, threatening or violating a person who protects public order or another representative of power, which is punishable by a fine or restriction of liberty for up to 3 years, or by imprisonment for 2 to 5 years.

By Shawn Wayne