MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police Sgt. Brian Cosio was flagged down by a woman in the area of Lincoln and Laurel streets at approximately 12:20 p.m. on May 15, 2017. The woman, 48, stated she was robbed by an unknown man as soon as she walked out of C&D Convenience Store, 250 Laurel St.
The victim walked out of the store when the man, later identified as Darren Benton, 40, of Nashua, approached her and attempted to rip her purse from her neck. She clutched her purse as he broke the strap, but she never let go of it. The suspect was able to take the $46 dollars she was holding in her hand.
Benton allegedly took the cash from her hand and fled west on Spruce Street. Multiple officers responded to the area and located Benton based on the description provided by the victim, as he exited 299 Concord St. Benton was wearing a camouflage fishing hat, blue shorts and was also in possession of $46 when he was stopped by police.
Officers concluded Benton was the man responsible for the unarmed robbery, so he was placed into custody and transported to police headquarters. Benton is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on May 16, 2017.