HELL'S KITCHEN — Is nothing sacred?
A woman visiting the Church of St. Paul the Apostle on Christmas Day had her purse snatched — but good Samaritans caught the thief red-handed before he could escape, according to police and prosecutors.
The 55-year-old woman was taking pictures inside the church at 60th and Columbus Avenue in between masses around 2:15 p.m. Sunday when she put her purse down on a pew, prosecutors said.
Suddenly, Sammy Sanchez, 57, grabbed the purse and ran — but didn't make it far before being caught by the woman's relative and two bystanders and who held him until police could arrive, prosecutors said.
He was arraigned Monday on charges of felony grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property and ordered held on $2,000 bail. He is due back in court Friday, according to court records online.
Information for Sanchez's lawyer was not immediately available.
Church officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
