MARGATE, Fla. – Two men are charged with stealing a woman's purse.
Police arrested Samuel Elster and Richard Goldings on Sunday.
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Elster stole a woman's purse near Margate Boulevard and Northwest 76th Avenue, police say. A man saw the robbery and chased Elster, who ran into a nearby apartment.
Goldings told police he and Elster were walking to the Publix at 7230 W. Atlantic Boulevard to panhandle, police say. Goldings said Elster started talking to the victim, who was walking behind them.
Goldings said he heard the woman fall and saw her fighting with Elster over her purse, police say. The two then ran to Goldings' apartment and hid the money they found in the woman's purse under his mattress.
Police say Elster admitted to taking the woman's purse and throwing it into the bushes at 7708 Margate Boulevard after he took money out of it.
Police found the woman's purse there.
Elster and Goldings are charged with robbery by sudden snatching and aggravated battery on a person 65-years or older.
The woman suffered a fractured elbow, concussion, and scratches to her face and right hand.