DPW crew helps nab suspect

TROY, N.Y. » Police said that thanks to attentive city Department of Public Works employees, a robbery suspect was quickly arrested Friday afternoon.

Lawrence Milledge, 19, of Troy was charged with thirddegree robbery, a felony and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Troy Assistant Police Chief Daniel DeWolf said a 30-yearold mother and her 9-year-old daughter were in a parked vehicle around 11:15 a.m. Friday in the area of Jefferson and 3rd Streets. They were waiting for an acquaintance who went into the corner store — Jefferson Deli and Grocery, he said.

DeWolf said while the victims waited, Milledge approached the car and forcibly opened the door. He pushed the child while stealing a purse that was next to her, Dewolf said. Milledge then allegedly fled with the purse toward the canal.

“As luck would have it, a Troy DPW crew was working nearby and heard the victim yell that she had just been robbed. The crew noticed a man running and then stopping to change his clothes. Thinking this was odd and that it may be connected to the robbery, they provided this description to the police,” DeWolf said in a news release.

A short distance away, Milledge was eventually apprehended and was positively identified by the victim.

DeWolf said Milledge was in possession proceeds from the theft, which included a large amount of cash that was to be used to purchase a car. Officials said there were no injuries reported during the incident.

DeWolf said Milledge was also arrested on an outstanding warrant.