'I'm not going to let them change me,' woman says about thieves who dragged her at gas station

Robert Flagg Jr., 19, ordered held in lieu of $300,000 bond

DAVIE, Fla. – A South Florida woman was definitely breathing a sigh of relief over the weekend after a man who she claims snatched her purse at a Davie gas station was arrested.

Surveillance video shows the victim, Patricia Coxe, 64, being dragged by the robber's car after he broke her car window to snatch her purse.

"I was raised, you don't take what's not yours," Coxe told reporters Monday at a news conference. "He had my stuff and I was getting it."

Police said Coxe was pumping gas June 2 at a Shell gas station off Sheridan Street and Dykes Road when the robbery occurred.

Robert Flagg Jr., 19, was arrested Saturday on charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery and armed burglary. He made his first court appearance on Sunday, where he was ordered held in lieu of a $300,000 bond.

Coxe said she was left terrified and injured after the ordeal.

"I turned around, I saw glass fly and a body in my car, taking my stuff," Coxe said. "I attempted to grab my purse and he locked my arms over the car, in the car."

Coxe tried to get her belongings back, but police said the getaway driver hit the gas pedal and dragged Coxe across the road.

"I was terrified when they did not release me," Coxe said. 

Police said the thieves got away with Coxe's purse, cellphone and $600 in cash. 

"I was happy I was released and I was alive," Coxe said.

Davie police found Coxe's purse about a half-mile away and returned it to her.

"I'm not going to let them change me," Coxe said. 

Meanwhile, Davie police said they are still searching for the getaway driver.

Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
 


About the Authors:

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.