Man arrested after Alliance woman robbed on 84th birthday

ALLIANCE, Ohio - An Alliance woman was beaten and robbed on her 84th birthday, police say.

The woman was taking a morning walk on South Mahoning Avenue at about 7:42 a.m. Thursday when a man shoved her face into the sidewalk, Alliance police said. The man took the woman’s purse and fled on foot.

A passerby noticed the injured woman and called police. The 84-year-old victim was taken to Alliance Community Hospital. Police said she suffered bruises and broken bones, but she was mostly concerned about her stolen rosary.

During a canvass of the area, officers found the suspect had stopped at an area business, which had a copy of his driver’s license. Police said there was even surveillance video of the suspect immediately after the robbery.

Mark A. Patrick, 21, of Alliance was arrested on an outstanding warrant just before 1 p.m. According to Alliance officers, Patrick admitted to the crime and told police he put the stolen purse in a wooded area.

Officers were able to return the woman’s rosary when they visited her in the hospital Thursday afternoon.

Patrick was charged with aggravated robbery, and breaking and entering. He was taken to the Stark County Jail, where he is being held on $50,000.

He will appear in Alliance Municipal Court on Friday at 1 p.m.