Man arrested in Wantagh purse-snatching

A Glen Cove man knocked a 73-year-old woman to the ground in Wantagh parking lot Tuesday, ripping away her pocketbook, Nassau County police said.

Christopher Nelson, 21, of 11 Maple Ave., was arrested by police shortly after knocking down the victim at about 5:36 p.m. in a parking lot at 1340 Wantagh Ave., police said.

He was arrested on charges of second-degree robbery, criminal possession of stolen property and reckless endangerment. Nelson is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said Nelson pushed the victim to the ground and "forcibly grabbed the victim's pocketbook from her arm." He then fled in his 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, police said.

The woman hurt her wrist and both knees but refused medical attention, police said.

Seventh Squad detectives said the proceeds were recovered when Nelson was arrested at 5:47 p.m. in front of 2716 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown.