A street robber who pulled a woman’s handbag out of her hand and ran off was hunted down by police after a passing van driver and local resident came forward.
The 57-year-old victim was walking along Walesby Lane in Ollerton when she was targeted by callous robber Daniel Marows.
She heard a scuffling noise coming from behind her and suddenly felt Marows grab her handbag. She couldn’t hold on to it and saw Marows running off with it.
The woman, who suffered pain in her arm, ran after him but couldn’t keep up and lost sight of him.
However, a passing van driver saw Marows running towards a yellow Fiat parked nearby before he got in and sped off. The van driver drove around the area looking for the Fiat but couldn’t find it.
Another man also saw the Fiat pull up and was able to recall the partial number plate.
Both witnesses reported what they saw to the police. The victim’s bag was found and handed in soon after and the only item missing was a small chocolate egg.
Following inquiries, police traced the Fiat to an address in Ollerton where Marows was arrested just hours later.
Doorbell camera footage from the house showed the Fiat had left and later returned to the address within the time frame of the robbery which happened shortly before 6.45pm on 12 April 2023.
Marows, aged 33, of Griffin Road, Ollerton, was subsequently charged over the incident.
He pleaded guilty to robbery and was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (3 October 2023).
Detective Constable Robert McGhee, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on a woman who was left feeling incredibly upset and scared to go back out walking on her own after what happened.
“She showed immense bravery throughout the incident and the subsequent investigation. I am pleased she reported it to us so quickly, as did the two witnesses, which assisted us in building the investigation.
“As we have said time and time again, we treat reports of robbery extremely seriously, we will investigate, and we will do everything we possibly can to find those responsible and bring them before the court.”