Alleged South Union purse snatcher waives attempted homicide charges
A man who allegedly dragged an elderly woman by her purse strap in the South Union Township Wal-Mart parking lot waived his charges to the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas Monday.
Douglas Ray Gettemy, 28, of Lemont Furnace is charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of robbery.
Police allege Gettemy targeted 72-year-old Theresa Null after driving through the parking lot April 4. He approached her and asked for directions to Home Depot, but she became suspicious as the conversation dragged on with follow-up questions. She backed away and he allegedly lunged at her, grabbing her purse.
Null held tight to her purse as he dragged her toward the vehicle and sat in the driver’s seat, then dragged her several feet by the purse strap, police said.
The strap broke, freeing Null, who said she feared she would be run over by the rear wheel of the car.
She reported the incident to Wal-Mart employees, who notified state police. Gettemy was spotted by Uniontown City Police at Sunoco about an hour later.
More than $600 cash was in her purse, in addition to gift cards, credit cards and personal documents.
Null suffered injuries to her head and soft tissue damage to her left arm and shoulder area. She was treated at Uniontown Hospital and released.
Gettemy remains lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $200,000 bond.