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Police say robbery of 72-year-old woman sparked car chase

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 72-year-old woman said she was attacked outside a north Charlotte grocery store Tuesday.

The robber then took off, leading police on a chase and Chopper 9 Skyzoom was there after they caught up with the driver.

The victim told Channel 9 she's still shaken up over the incident.

Marta Rivas said she was terrified after coming face to face with an unknown man after she finished shopping at the Aldi grocery store on Prosperity Church Road. She walked outside and that was when she was robbed. 

Rivas daughter Frauke Haniff described what happened next.

"The guy reached over her shoulder, her right shoulder, to grab the purse when she felt that someone was reaching over, she turned and the guy started running away to the car that was already pulled around," said Haniff.

Haniff said two bystanders called 911. She said one of them even ran over to the car to get the suspect, Delonte Brooks, to stop.  She said the suspect sped away but not before the bystander took a picture of his vehicle -- a gray Ford Taurus. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officials said Brooks, 23, was the driver. 

They chased him 12 miles into Rivermere Apartments off Dunn Commons Parkway. 

Police said Brooks ran but they caught him and took him to jail. 

He faces robbery charges and resisting an officer.

Officers were able to retrieve Rivas' credit cards but she said they never found her purse. She wants it back because it had her wedding ring and other sentimental items inside it.