Crime & Safety

Police Arrest Man Accused of Stealing Woman's Purse & Fleeing

Beau Bortnick was arrested on felony robbery and theft charges.

Mentor Police arrested a man Saturday after he ran away with a woman's purse, following a failed car theft attempt.

According to the department's Facebook page, Beau Bortnick, 28, tried to steal a woman's car while she sat in it outside the Reynolds Road Holiday Inn. He told the woman to get out, but the keys were not in the ignition.

Police said Bortnick took her purse instead, running toward Studio 6, where he had been staying. A man who saw the theft chased him. Police executed a search warrant at Bortnick's room after interviewing other guests at the hotel.

Police found the purse, drug paraphernalia and stolen checks in his room. Police believe the checks are from an unrelated theft.

Police charged Bortnick with four felony charges: third-degree robbery, fourth-degree theft, fifth-degree forgery and receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony. His misdemeanor charges are for possession of drug abuse instruments and paraphernalia.

Bortnick's arraignment was Monday, according to Mentor Municipal Court records. His preliminary hearing is Aug. 26.

His record shows nearly 30 charges dating back to 2003.


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