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Police: Valet's umbrella saves woman from attack

November 04, 2009, 09:28 AM Post Comments
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A Boston parking valet armed with an umbrella is being credited for helping a woman fight off a knife-wielding purse snatcher. Police said Tuesday that 61-year-old Barbara Pero of Auburn was attacked Monday night outside a Boston condominium just after her car was brought up by a valet parking service. A man forced his way into the car and threatened to kill her.

When Pero jumped out and screamed, 23-year-old valet Felix Vega grabbed a blue wood-handled umbrella from his manager's office and began beating the suspect.

Forty-eight-year-old Richard Morse fled but was arrested nearby with Pero's purse. He was ordered held on $150,000 cash bail Tuesday after a judge was told he has previous convictions for mayhem and armed robbery. It was unclear if Morse had hired an attorney.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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