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Police: Woman arrested for stealing from 71-year-old's purse a ‘serial criminal'

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A woman arrested in connection with the robbery of an elderly woman in Bellevue is accused of a similar crime in Ross Township.

Crystal Rudolph, 48, of McKees Rocks, was arrested Tuesday after she was seen on surveillance video stealing an envelope from a 71-year-old woman’s purse at a Dollar General, police said.

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Paul Murphy, 55, was also arrested for his alleged involvement in the robbery.

"They told me she was actually in my purse three times, and I didn't even feel that,” said Helen, the 71-year-old woman Rudolph is accused of robbing. “The first thing that came out of my mouth was, ‘Why me?’ I mean there were people there, and (the police) said, ‘Ma’am, not to hurt your feelings, but you're older, you're dressed nice.’”

Rudolph was later released from police custody. However, Channel 11’s Renee Kaminski learned Friday that she is suspected in a purse snatching in Ross Township.

Kaminski reported that police are calling Rudolph a “serial criminal” who steals from the elderly."It's likely that she's targeting these individuals possibly before they come into the store,” said Ross Township Sgt. Benjamin Dripps.

According to Ross Township police, Rudolph has been caught lifting purses since 2008.

Authorities showed Channel 11 new surveillance video Friday that they said features Rudolph stealing from a shopper’s purse last week. The victim in that case was in her mid-80s, police said.

"I'm angry that she's getting away with it and getting out of jail,” Helen said.

Police in Ross Township said they will be serving a warrant for Rudolph and that there could be other victims.

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