STROUD TOWNSHIP – Police say they have a suspect in connection with an attempted purse snatching, Friday morning, and the taking of another purse, a short time later. 

Michael Rettenmeyer, 30, of Kingston Drive, Penn Estates, was arrested Saturday morning.  He is being held on charges of robbery, theft, reckless endangerment, criminal attempt and criminal conspiracy.

Police believe Rettenmeyer is the man who tried to take a purse from a woman in the parking lot at Lowe’s on Route 611.  That woman refused to let go of her purse and was dragged a short distance before the suspect fled.  About 15 minutes later, a purse was taken from a table outside the Panera Bread, also on Route 611. 

The suspect was of similar description in both incidents.  So was the getaway car, a gray sedan, likely a late-year Saturn. 

Police are looking for the driver of the car, described as a white heavy-set male with dark hair

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call police at 570-421-6800.