Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 27, 1995                   TAG: 9501270061
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MAN CHARGED IN TOWERS MALL PURSE THEFTS

Donald Gene York, 34, was charged with one count of robbery and one count of grand larceny, Roanoke Police Major J.L. Viar said.

In the first incident, which occurred early last week, a man grabbed a woman's purse in the Roanoker Restaurant parking lot, Viar said. He was not sure how much money the purse contained.

Wednesday, a 72-year-old woman reported that a man stole her purse, containing $65, at Towers Mall. A witness saw the man leave in a gray car, which the police found at York's home. York was found hiding in a ditch after he tried to escape on foot, Viar said.

A third woman was robbed under similar circumstances Sunday, Viar said. The 74-year-old woman said a man snatched her purse as she walked toward the S&S Cafeteria at Towers. The man fled the parking lot in a gray car. Charges have not been filed in that theft, Viar said.