E. Orange DPW Workers Chase Down Mugger Who Robbed Elderly Woman: City

Not all heroes wear capes, as the expression goes. And in East Orange, sometimes they wear the uniform of the city's Department of Public Works.

Mayor Ted Stevens of East Orange presents Citizens Awards to Syid Griggs and Khalil Oliviera
Photo Credit: *City of East Orange*

Paul Milo

11/03/2019 10:39 a.m.

DPW employees Syid Griggs and Khalil Olivera were working near North Harrison and Main streets Oct. 10 when they witnessed a male grab an elderly woman's purse as she was leaving Bank of America on Main Street, a city spokeswoman said.

When the woman resisted, he threw her to the ground and took off. That's when Griggs and Olivera "leaped into action," the city said.

Griggs and Olivera chased him down and held him until police arrived. The suspect, whose name was not available, was charged with robbery, the city spokeswoman said.

Griggs and Olivera, meanwhile, were publicly honored in a city hall ceremony a few weeks ago. The two received Citizens Awards for their "bravery and quick response," the city said.

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