Suspect apologizes for trying to snatch purses outside 2 churches

McKEES ROCKS, Pa. — A man accused of trying to snatch purses from two women outside two separate churches has apologized.

Christopher Dickinson, 32, is charged in connection with attempting to snatch a McKees Rocks grandmother’s purse outside St. Mary’s Church on Orthodox Easter Sunday, and running off with another woman’s purse outside St. Nicholas Church.

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"I'm very sorry for what I did," Dickinson told Channel 11's Joe Holden as he left a court hearing. He blamed his actions on a crack-cocaine addiction.

“It went from bad to worse, and I'm sorry to the two ladies I hurt,” Dickinson said.

Dickinson is accused of punching the first victim in the face when she would not let go of her purse.

“He grabbed the purse and shoved me, and I said, oh no. We went round and round,” the woman told Channel 11. She did not want to be identified.

Police said minutes later, he ambushed the second victim on Munson Avenue as she was leaving St. Nicholas Church.

Authorities said thanks to a Good Samaritan in the neighborhood, officers found Dickinson hiding behind a dumpster.

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