Great police work leads to arrest of robbery suspect

Shortly before 5:00 am Saturday morning Boca Raton Police responded to a reported unarmed robbery in the area of 1999 North Federal Highway.  At the scene, officers met with the 63 year old victim who said he was sitting on the bench waiting for a bus when he was approached by a man asking for a cigarette.  When the victim told him he didn’t smoke, the man asked for money.  The victim told him he didn’t have any money.  The man then sat down on the bench and quickly grabbed the victim’s backpack. A struggle ensued and the victim fell to the ground as the suspect took off with his backpack.

A short time later an officer found what appeared to be the stolen backpack behind 1921 North Federal Highway.  Because this location is near the Boca Inn, investigators checked to see if a man matching the suspect’s description was registered as a guest.  It was quickly determined that he was located at the hotel.  Investigators then conducted a photo lineup at the hospital where the victim as being treated for minor injuries.  He confirmed that one of the people in the lineup was the one responsible for the robbery.

Officers knocked repeatedly on the door, but neither the suspect nor his roommates would answer.  Since 11:00 am is checkout time, officers waited.  The suspect came out and agreed to be questioned by police.  Back at the Boca Raton Police Services Department, the suspect, Christopher Harshbarger, said he remembered sitting on the bench with the victim but was too drunk at the time to remember anything else.  He said he did have a backpack that didn’t belong to him but didn’t remember taking it.  Harsbarger was charged with Robbery by Sudden Snatching.