A Brookhaven man’s arrest in a Thursday afternoon robbery alsoproduced an admission in a purse-snatching that happened lastmonth, Police Chief Pap Henderson said today.

Paul A. McGill, 41, of 503 S. First St., was charged with strongarm robbery and grand larceny in connection with the incidents. Heremained in jail this morning, according to Sheriff’s Departmentrecords.

Police allege McGill took a purse from a pickup that had beenleft unlocked when the driver went into the post office onBrookhaven Street around 4:37 p.m. Thursday. Henderson saidwitnesses saw the incident and tried to stop the suspect.

“He took the wallet from the purse, threw it in a ditch and keptgoing,” Henderson said.

Henderson said the man fled into the woods and was apprehendedby police a short while later behind Western Sizzlin on BrookwayBoulevard. Witnesses identified the man as one who took the pursefrom the truck.

Following an interview, McGill was also charged in connectionwith a June 15 purse-snatching at 508 Bay St. In that incident, theowner’s purse was stolen and she fell to the ground while goingfrom her car to the home.

Henderson said McGill had been a suspect in that case.

“In questioning him, he admitted to that,” Henderson said.

Henderson said additional charged may be filed in the June 15incident.