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Walmart purse-snatching suspect under arrest

Roxboro Police Chief Todd Boycher said his officers had identified Kenneth Lamont Vaughn as the man who appeared in surveillance video leaning over a sleeping woman, looking around and then taking her purse.

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ROXBORO, N.C. — Durham police on Friday arrested a man wanted for snatching the purse of a sleeping woman at the Roxboro Walmart Monday.

Roxboro Police Chief Todd Boycher said his officers had identified Kenneth Lamont Vaughn, 42, of 1913 Morehead Avenue in Durham, as the man who appeared in surveillance video leaning over a sleeping Queen Walters, 76, looking around and then taking her purse.

Walters had been using a scooter to shop at the store, at 1049 Durham Road, when she became groggy from medication she was taking, Boycher said.

The thief made off with her keys, credit card, license, a significant amount of cash and medication.

"Instead of doing the right thing and checking on her condition or letting someone know, he reaches in her cart, gets her purse and walks off with it," Boycher said.

On Friday, Durham police stopped a car that matched the suspect's, and Vaughn jumped out and ran. Durham officers arrested him after a brief chase, Boycher said, giving praise for their efforts.

Roy Walters, Queen's son, said he was shocked when he saw the surveillance video of his mother but thankful that police caught Vaughan. 

"The people of Roxboro and North Carolina came through," he said. "It usually doesn't happen that easily, but this time it came through. The main thing is she was safe and no harm came to her."

Vaughn faces a charge of felony larceny from a person and was being held in the Person County jail on $1 million secured bond.

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