Lockport college junior Daniel Bronson is being credited with taking down a purse snatcher.The University of Rochester quarterback had to switch to defense recently after witnessing a purse snatching. The 21-year-old was leaving a Robinson Road restaurant in Lockport on November 5 when he saw a man run past a 73-year-old woman and yank her purse out of her arms as she walked with her husband.
Bronson took off after the man, who dropped the purse but kept on running. Bronson tackled the suspect and held him down with the help of his girlfriend's father and brother, Patrick Ellinger and Patrick Ellinger II. Police arrived and arrested the 31-year-old suspect, Matthew Biles, on a robbery charge.
Bronson's off-field heroics came just hours after he piled up nearly 400 yards in total offense and ran 60 yards for a touchdown in a three-point home loss to Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
The trio was honored today for "showing exemplary citizenship, bravery and assistance to the Division of State Police during the commission of a violent crime" by Troop A.
Police say Biles pushed an 87-year-old female victim to the ground while she entered the same establishment on November 4. The victim sustained a broken left arm, possible fractured nose and multiple abrasions. The victim’s purse with personal identification was taken along with credit cards and cash.