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Police: Man confesses to stealing purses from elderly

yan Hackworth, 29, of West Chester Twp., has been charged with robbery and theft after police said he confessed to stealing purses from elderly women in Springdale and West Chester this week.

Contributed photo yan Hackworth, 29, of West Chester Twp., has been charged with robbery and theft after police said he confessed to stealing purses from elderly women in Springdale and West Chester this week.

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer 11:10 AM Friday, November 13, 2009

An anonymous tip Thursday, Nov. 12, led police to a man who later confessed to a series of thefts from elderly people in West Chester Twp. and Sharonville, Sharonville police said today, Nov. 13.

Ryan Hackworth, 29, of the 6800 block of Windwood Drive, was arrested by Milford Police during the afternoon hours of Nov. 12. He was wanted for snatching at least two purses from two elderly women on Nov. 9 in Sharonville and Nov. 11 in West Chester.

Sharonville police said Hackworth confessed to the thefts during questioning.

On Wednesday, Hackworth approached an 83-year-old woman who was carrying groceries from her vehicle at the Timber Hill Apartments, off Timber Drive, and asked her if she needed help, according to Sgt. Joe Gutman of the West Chester Twp. Police Department. When she said no, the man grabbed her purse and fled, Gutman said.

Sharonville police charged Hackworth on Thursday with one count of robbery, a third-degree felony, because the use of force was allegedly involved.

This morning, West Chester police filed a charge of fourth-degree felony theft against Hackworth. The penalty was increased because the alleged theft involved credit cards and an elderly person, police said.

Police in Springdale are continuing to investigate a purse snatching that occurred there on Nov. 8 to see whether it is connected to the other two.

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