FMPD arrest purse snatching suspect

The Fort Myers Police Department arrested a purse snatching suspect Thursday afternoon.

Barry Shields, 40, was charged with robbery after attempting to snatch a woman’s purse in the parking lot of the Publix Supermarket on Summerlin Road.

Police say Shields was blocked by a witness and dropped the purse before fleeing in a vehicle.

Another witness provided a description of the car and a partial tag number, which was traced to an apartment on DeLeon Street.

That led police to the vehicle, which was found unoccupied. Police were then informed that the driver had switched cars and drove away.

A traffic stop was conducted on the second vehicle and Shields was detained after being positively identified by the victim and witnesses.