Fall River man accused of stealing an elderly woman’s purse for second time

A Fall River man previously accused of stealing an elderly woman’s purse is being accused of committing a similar crime.

According to police, on Wednesday, Officers responded to Walmart after a 69-year-old woman reported that her purse had been stolen from her shopping cart while inside the business.

Officer Garrett Nelson reviewed the video surveillance footage and observed a male following the victim as she moved about the store. The victim briefly left her purse unattended, and he approached her shopping cart, took the purse, and left the store.

Investigators were able to identify the male suspect as James Smith, of Fall River. Smith was arrested on Thursday and will be charged with larceny from a person over 65.

At the time of his arrest, Smith also had an outstanding arrest warrant for a purse snatching of a 76-year-old Fall River woman in April of 2023.