Robbery attempted by fake security guard

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000 | 11:18 a.m.

The 65-year-old Canadian woman became suspicious and tried to phone security when the man told her he was investigating a chemical spill and entered her hotel room.

The suspect then grabbed her purse from her shoulder and ran out of the room. The woman gave chase but lost him in the stairwell, police said.

But police say her description of the suspect helped them apprehend him a short time later a few blocks away after a German Shepherd pinned him in a resident's back yard.

Willie Garner, 39, has been charged with robbery, burglary and crimes against the elderly.

Police had been keeping a close eye on the hotel as a pair of similar attacks had been reported in recent weeks. They are investigating whether Garner was involved in any of the other instances.

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