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Youth arrested in downtown purse-snatchings, second suspect sought

WATCH ABOVE: Teen boy arrested after string of purse-snatchings

TORONTO – Toronto police have arrested a youth in connection to a series of violent purse-snatchings in the downtown Toronto area over the weekend that prompted a public safety alert.

Police say four incidents were reported Sunday between 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Bathurst Street and Front Street area with the victims being women in their 20s.

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All the cases involved two males approaching the women and demanding their purses.

In one incident, the suspect took out a gun and shot rounds into the ground.

In another, the suspects allegedly pushed one of the victims to the ground and grabbed her in a headlock or a choke hold.

Police say a 14-year-old boy is in custody related to two of the robberies.

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“All women did receive non-life threatening injuries,” said Toronto police Cst. Jeniffer Sidhu. “However they were traumatized by the fact that during broad daylight in a busy area, during the holiday season, they were taken for a surprise, assaulted and attacked.”

The second suspect is described as male, 14 years of age, between five-feet seven-inches to six-feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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