Aug 27, 2013 2 min read

An alleged purse thief’s attempt to secure a quick “discharge” from Washington Hospital didn’t turn out as she might have hoped, according to Washington police.

Charges are pending against Casey Ivery, 22, of 407 Duquesne Ave., Canonsburg, whom city police accuse of running off with another woman’s purse at the hospital Aug. 13.

Officer Matthew Karlowsky responded to a call of a disturbance at the hospital that afternoon, and when he arrived, he saw Jessica Schmitt and hospital staff restraining Ivery on the ground, according to the criminal complaint. Officer Karlowsky was told that Connie Klapkowski of Claysville had placed her purse on a sink in a hospital restroom, and Ivery, who also was in the restroom, took the purse and ran.

Police say Klapkowski yelled that her purse had been stolen and chased Ivery outside the hospital, where Schmitt tackled and held Ivery until hospital staff members came to assist. Police took Ivery into custody, brought her to the city police station and searched her own purse.

Police said they found a metal spoon, a pill bottle with the label torn off and a syringe, which will lead to charges of possessing drug paraphernalia. Washington police Detective Dan Rush said citizen intervention is uncommon, but when someone witnesses a crime, sometimes “the good nature just kicks in” and they offer to help without thinking twice.

“I think the majority of people would do something if the opportunity presented itself,” Rush said, “but not many people are confronted with these situations.”