Suspected Purse Snatcher Faces Theft, Drug Charges

Police have arrested a man who is accused of trying to snatch a purse in the Marc's parking lot in Mentor.

Christopher Knotek, 47, of Cleveland, grabbed the purse another patron's vehicle while the victim was returning her shopping cart to the corral Friday, according to the Mentor Police Facebook page.

A witness saw Knotek, memorized his license plate number and called police.

With the help of Wickliffe Police, Knotek was pulled over and arrested on Interstate 90 near Bratenahl.

Police found the victim's purse, her credit cards and money in Knotek's Chevrolet Blazer. Officers also found syringes, a spoon and a spare shoelace, according to court documents.

Knotek was charged with grand theft, possession of criminal tools, possession of drug-abuse instruments and drug paraphernalia.

He was arraigned Monday morning in . Judge John Trebets set his bond at $40,000, which was not posted.

Knotek was already out on bond at the time of his most recent arrest. He faces a charge of receiving stolen property in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for an unrelated incident.

Knotek's next court date is scheduled for April 26.