VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla.,None — DeLand police arrested an accused purse snatcher who they said accosted two grocery store customers and a store manager.
One of the victims said the attack turned her into a fighter.
Police said Tanya Christiano was asking for money in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie on New York Avenue, but when one woman said no, Christiano grabbed her purse and ran. That's when the 63-year-old woman, who didn't want to be identified, went head-to-head with Christiano.
“Her car was over here, so I ran to her car, greeted her and jumped on my purse,” said the victim. “I didn't know that I could do this. I'm not a fighter.”
When store employees walked out, Christiano tried to drive away and crashed into another car and then the store manager grabbed the keys and waited for police to arrive.
“She still doesn't give up. She goes in the store. She accosts the manager and rips his pants trying to get the keys, and she ends up going to jail,” said Deputy Chief Randy Henderson with the Deland Police Department.
Officers said they found a crack pipe in Christiano's purse.
She's also accused of stealing a third purse earlier in the day. She's in jail on a $13,000 bond.