Two West Point men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a series of purse snatchings as well as apparently leaving a downtown Columbus restaurant without paying.
Laquincy Washington, 20, and James J. Smith, 22, have each been charged with two counts of robbery for the purse snatchings and defrauding an innkeeper, which Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton said is a charge for leaving a restaurant without paying.
Shelton said the two men ate at Zachary’s restaurant downtown earlier this week and left without paying. Zachary’s posted pictures of the two of them online asking for information, and a confidential informant led police to arrest Washington and Smith.
The incident at Zachary’s was unrelated to the purse snatchings, Shelton said.
Smith was also charged with fraudulent use of identification after he attempted to use a credit card out of one of the stolen purses, Shelton said.
Both men are in custody at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center. Their bonds have not been set.
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