Man arrested in Rockville Centre purse-snatching

An Oceanside man was arrested on charges of robbing an elderly couple in Rockville Centre on Wednesday night after police discovered he had used the victim's credit card to make purchases at area stores.

Paul Topple, 24, of 201 Lindbergh Ave., was arrested Thursday night and charged with first-degree robbery, three counts of third-degree identity theft and unlawful possession of marijuana, Nassau County police said. He is scheduled for arraignment Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said Topple approached an elderly couple behind a row of buildings on Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, knocking the woman, 80, to the ground – and stealing her purse containing credit cards, cash and keys. The woman’s husband, 83, tripped and fell while attempting to chase Topple, police said.

Police said both the husband and wife were taken to an area hospital for treatment of facial lacerations.

Topple then used the woman’s credit card at “several stores,” police said. He was identified after a review of surveillance video from those stores – and, police said, promptly arrested.