72-year-old woman dragged by car during purse snatching in Fayette County

SOUTH UNION TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 72-year-old woman was dragged by a car during a purse snatching Tuesday morning outside a Walmart in South Union Township, Fayette County.

Police said the woman was in the parking lot putting bags into her car when a man approached her and asked for directions to The Home Depot. He then grabbed her purse.

The woman’s son, George Null, told Channel 11 News that he is appalled by the incident and is counting his blessings that his mother survived.

“She had the purse on her shoulder, and from what she has said, he was trying to get it off. She had a tight grip on it and got knocked down and pulled away,” Null said.

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According to police, the suspect, 28-year-old Douglas Gettemy, of Uniontown, pulled the woman over to his car as she held onto the purse. He then started driving off, dragging the woman across the pavement until the purse strap broke.

Null’s mother was treated and released from Uniontown Hospital.

“It's hard to keep a good woman down,” Null said.

Gettemy was arrested about an hour after the incident. Police said he will be charged with criminal attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, theft and related offenses.

Cox Media Group