BOCA RATON – A suspect who allegedly stole a wallet from an elderly victim in the parking lot of the Fifth Avenue Shops July 18 escaped in a taxi cab, police said, but was captured by local police who tailed the cab to Hillsboro Boulevard.
The incident occurred about 10:15 a.m.
Public Information Officer Sandra Boonenberg said that when officers arrived at the Fifth Avenue shops, they met with the 91-year-old victim She said she had just left Publix and was near her car when a male walked up to her.
The victim told officers that the suspect, later identified as Robert Adams, 28, of Pompano Beach, said he admired her car and asked if she would give him a ride in it. When the victim refused, Boonenberg said, Adams grabbed her wallet from her purse and ran through the parking lot.
The victim lost sight of Adams as he turned the corner of the building. The victim found an employee at a nearby store and they called the police.
A sergeant had dispatch operators contact local cab companies and learned that Yellow Cab had just picked up a person in the area matching the description of the suspect.
Officers nabbed Adams after he got out of the cab at Hillsboro Boulevard. Adams initially obeyed officer’s commands, Boonenberg said, but then moved toward them in an aggressive manner, forcing an officer to use his Taser. Adams was taken into custody without further incident.
The victim identified Adams as the person who robbed her. She did not sustain any physical injuries and officers were able to recover her property.
Adams was charged with robbery.