Detectives arrest 17-year-old over alleged bag snatching in Geraldton CBD that left woman with broken arm

An alleged teenage bag snatcher faced court on Monday after causing a woman to fall and break her arm when she resisted the robbery in Geraldton’s CBD, police say. Police will allege the 59-year-old woman was sitting on a bench in Stow Gardens near Town Beach about 9.30pm on Sunday when she was approached by a 17-year-old boy. The teenager began talking with the woman before allegedly snatching her bag on the bench and attempted to flee. Police claim the woman held on to her bag in an attempt to stop the robbery when the accused forced the bag from the victim, causing her to fall to the ground. Officer-in-charge of Geraldton Detectives, Det-Sen. Sgt Bruce McDonald, said the fall resulted in the woman breaking her arm. He said the accused fled the scene but police located him on Monday about 1.45am at an address on Lester Avenue. He said police recovered some of the stolen property from the woman’s handbag. “The boy was arrested at this location and taken back to Geraldton Police Station where he assisted police with the investigation,” Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said. A 17-year-old Waggrakine boy was charged with aggravated robbery and appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court on Monday. The 59-year-old woman was admitted to Geraldton hospital where she received treatment for a broken arm. “She is currently fine and she will recover well. Police have recovered majority of her stolen items,” Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said. The teenager was refused bail and flown to Perth where he will be remanded in custody “in the appropriate facilities” until his next court date, police said.