Man arrested after snatching woman's purse at gas station, stealing SUV with baby inside

Frederick Mordon, 35, taken into custody Thursday

DANIA BEACH, Fla. ā€“ A man accused of snatching a woman's purse at a gas station earlier this month and running over her foot was arrested Thursday, authorities said.

The victim, Janelle Della-Libera, told Local 10 News that she identified Frederick Mordon, 35, in a photo lineup over the weekend.

Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Joy Oglesby said Mordon is also believed to be the same man who stole an SUV Saturday that was running outside a store in a North Lauderdale shopping plaza that had a 2-month-old baby inside.

Deputies said a 10-year-old girl who was inside the SUV tried to grab her baby brother as she was rushing out of the vehicle, but couldn't.

The SUV was later found abandoned at a mobile home park off State Road 7 and Rock Island Road.

The baby was inside the SUV and was not injured.

Meanwhile, security video from a Mobil gas station at 3991 Stirling Road in Dania Beach shows the thief, believed to be Mordon, scoping out Della-Libera's SUV while she was pumping gas Sept. 17.

The man opens the door to her vehicle and swipes her purse.

The video shows Della-Libera chasing Mordon, jumping onto the hood of his car and trying to hit him with her wallet as he drove away.

"I ran around to his side of the car, got on the car, hoping that he wouldn't drive off," she said. "I reached into the driver's side. I had my hand on my handbag and, at that point, he drove off."

Broward sheriff's deputies said Mordon drove his car over Della-Libera's foot as he got away.

Della-Libera suffered a sprain and numerous lacerations, but she is expected to make a complete recovery.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.