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Passersby tackle man robbing 74-year-old woman

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TBO.com

Published: May 12, 2009

Darrell Johnson

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Three motorists who witnessed a supermarket employee being robbed tonight in Kenneth City stopped their vehicles, chased the suspect and held him until police arrived, authorities say.

Darrell Johnson, 26, of 1335 James Ave. S., St. Petersburg, was arrested and charged with robbery, battery on the elderly and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The Kenneth City Police Department gives this account of what happened about 5:48 p.m. at a bus stop on 66th Street North:

Josephine Rodgers, 74, of Clearwater had just finished her shift at a nearby Sweetbay supermarket and was waiting at the bus stop for a ride home. Johnson approached Rodgers, made several obscene comments and grabbed at her purse.

Johnson missed the purse, then grabbed Rodgers' grocery bag, tearing it open in the process. Johnson grabbed a bottle of bleach that fell out of the bag and threw it at Rodgers. Before he ran away, he pushed her to the ground and kicked her.

Three motorists going north on 66th Street saw the attack, stopped their cars and chased after Johnson. They tackled him in front of Frey's Donut Shop, 4419 66th St., and held him until police arrived.

Johnson struck a police officer as he was being taken to jail. Rodgers was taken by ambulance to St. Petersburg General Hospital. Her condition is not known.

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