Two witnesses helped police in the arrest of a 29-year-old man who allegedly grabbed a purse from a woman who was loading groceries into her vehicle in Abbotsford last Thursday.

Sgt. Judy Bird said the incident took place Aug. 20 at about 8:30 a.m. She said a woman in her 70s was loading groceries into her vehicle in the 32700 block of South Fraser Way when a man grabbed her purse and ran away.

Bird said a witness saw the man throw the purse into some bushes and then retrieve it. Another witness followed the suspect and provided updates to police.

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The suspect was then arrested not far from the scene, and the purse was returned to the victim, who was not injured in the incident.

Bird thanked the witnesses for their quick response.

“Their actions assisted greatly in the retrieval of her purse and the arrest of the suspect,” she said.

Peter Jewhurst has now been charged with assault, theft and uttering threats. Bird said he will remain in custody until his court appearance on Aug. 28.

At that time, he will also appear on prior charges of theft under $5,000 from December 2019, mischief from January 2020 and assault from June 2020, according to the provincial court database.

Jewhurst has an extensive criminal history, including charges of assault, assault with a weapon, possession of a restricted weapon, robbery, failing to comply with court orders, possession of stolen property, and uttering a forged document.

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Hope Standard