At about 12:40 pm, on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, an officer performing a paid detail in the area of School Street observed several individuals chasing another individual. Once the suspect was in custody, officers spoke to witnesses who stated that they were inside the Cosi restaurant at 53 State Street when they heard a woman yell, “He’s stealing my purse.” Witnesses say they then observed a black male, with a silver purse in hand, flee the establishment. Several good samaritans then took off in pursuit of the suspect.During the foot pursuit, one of the samaritans says he saw the suspect discard the silver purse. That individual recovered the purse and returned it to police. The detail officer in this incident says he joined the pursuit when he observed the suspect running along School Street. A short time later, the detail officer, with help from an off-duty Providence, Rhode Island police officer, apprehended the suspect after a brief struggle.
Officers arrested Dana Funderburg, 46, of Boston and charged him with Larceny (purse snatch).
