KENNETH CITY, FL -- Police in Kenneth City arrested a man on Tuesday night after they say he attacked a 74-year-old woman while she was waiting for a bus in the 4500 block of 66th Street North.
According to authorities, Josephine Rodgers had just finished working at Sweetbay before she was attacked by 26-year-old Darrell Johnson of St. Petersburg.
Witnesses say the suspect approached her, made several obscene comments to her and then grabbed her purse. He was not able to get the purse and then grabbed Rodgers' grocery bag which then broke open.
After items fell from the ripped bag, Johnson picked up a bottle of bleach and threw it at the woman. When she then tried to run away, the suspect pushed her down and kicked her.
Several witnesses in the area saw the attack and chased the suspect across a parking lot where they tackled him and held him until police arrived. Johnson was arrested before he tried to attacked arresting officers.
He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and charged with robbery, battery upon the elderly, and battery on a law enforcement officer.
The victim was transported by ambulance to St. Petersburg General Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.
