83-year-old hangs on to her purse

SANTA FE, N.M., March 14 (UPI) -- An 83-year-old Santa Fe, N.M., great-grandmother was able to fend off an attempted purse-snatcher by holding on to her purse and spraying him with gasoline.

Bernie Garcia said a young man, identified by police as Angelo Trujillo, 20, approached her as she was filling her van at the gas pump Wednesday, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported Friday.

Garcia said the man asked her for money, than grabbed her purse after she told him she had none to give. However, he was unable to pull the purse's strap from her hands.

"I had it wrapped around my wrist twice," Garcia said.

She said the suspect dragged her to the ground after she sprayed him with gas from the pump. He pulled her along the ground for a short distance before another man intervened and the suspect ran off.

Trujillo was apprehended after a witness copied down the information of the vehicle he entered. He and two accomplices were charged with robbery and conspiracy

Garcia said she was sore the next morning, but had no broken bones.