CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - A botched purse snatching started a bizarre chain of events in Clarksville on Wednesday evening. Police said the would-be victim fought off her attacker, then ran into him just hours later at the hospital.
Police arrested 27-year-old Coyama Locklear on Thursday morning and charged him with criminal attempt to commit robbery.
What Amanda Pyle and her purse went through on Wednesday evening proved that both are pretty strong.
"All it has are a few minor tears. I'd recommend this purse to anyone," laughed Pyle.
The attempted purse snatching happened at a Clarksville Kroger.
"As I was walking out, someone followed me in the parking lot and attacked me from behind," said Pyle. "I bent my arm, he pulled on his end, and I pulled on mine."
"The thing is he's six foot, six foot two and over 200 pounds and she's five foot six so there was a significant size difference," said Clarksville Police officer Jim Knoll.
"My reaction was, this is my purse. I work hard for my money and I'm not giving up like this," said Pyle.
The suspect fled when other customers heard the commotion and approached the scene. Shortly after, Amanda drove herself to Gateway Medical Center because her knee was sore. Apparently, she wasn't the only one hurt in the scuffle.
Amanda recognized the man who'd tried to rob her earlier in the day inside the ER.
"As he got closer my heart stopped I knew without a doubt in my mind, that's him," recalled Pyle.
Detectives say Coyama Locklear was walking out of the hospital just as Pyle was checking in. Locklear had his arm in a sling.
"He said his shoulder got injured some way. He indicated it was some sort of basketball injury," said Knoll.
Amanda called the authorities, who were eventually able to track Locklear down and arrest him. Of course, our heroine's bravery in this story was matched by our suspect's faintheartedness- Locklear was found hiding in his closet at a home in Clarksville.
"I think its a work of God, the chances of it all happening all that way are slim to none," said Pyle.
Perhaps the lesson here is it's good to have a strong purse and a good head on your shoulders.
"I think its important to look around and notice things, and brace yourself for the worst just in case," said Pyle.
Pyle was able to give police a detailed description of Locklear, and even his getaway car, a gold Lexus.
Authorities are still hoping witnesses to the attack will contact police to tell detectives what they saw last night to help strengthen the case.
Last year, police arrested Locklear for a string of home burglaries and break-ins.
Believe it or not, in one case, an unsuspecting victim found Locklear hiding in the closet.
Locklear was held on $50,000 bond.
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