A woman in Winter Haven, Florida, was punched in the face and robbed in broad daylight as she stood holding her infant daughter in a local park, a report says.
Police say that on January 25, the victim was standing in Kiwanis Park with her child when two men entered the park. The woman told police she was immediately uneasy and started to leave the park but was stopped by the two suspects, CBS 12 reported.
According to the police report, the men approached the woman, and one said, “Give me your money, or I’ll shoot.” She said one of the assailants then punched her in the face and grabbed her purse.
The pair drove off in an old gold pickup truck, witnesses said.
Police soon tracked the woman’s credit card and found it being used at a local CVS store.
Several days later, officials reported that both suspects had been apprehended.
“This guy thinks he’s a big man to attack a vulnerable mother holding a small child in a park,” Winter Haven Chief Charlie Bird said. “He is now where he belongs… behind bars.”
Police arrested 19-year-old Marques Jarvelle Haines and 18-year-old Delshawn Bradshaw, both of Winter Haven.
Chief Bird praised the local citizenry, whom he said helped police track down the suspects. “The public also played a huge role as the tips began to come in through Crime Stoppers that led us to this suspect and ultimate arrest,” he said.
Both suspects were booked into the Polk County Jail.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.
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