Thief steals purse, comes back for car

An Alexandria woman was the victim of a purse snatching outside her home then lost her car the next day when the robber returned and drove off in her Volvo. Charlotte Ross, 82, was knocked to the ground outside her home on Richenbacher Avenue after 9 p.m. Tuesday, and her purse was wrenched from her prosthetic arm, Alexandria police Lt. Jamie Bartlett said. The robber returned Wednesday with keys from her purse and took Ross’ car. Police found the vehicle a few blocks away and arrested an 18-year-old man, who has not been identified. He was charged with robbery and grand larceny. – Maria Hegstad

Police search for suspect in shooting at Safeway

D.C. police are searching for a woman wanted in connection with a shooting outside a grocery store in Adams Morgan early Tuesday. A warrant has been issued for Raina Johnson, 34, charging her with assault with intent to kill while armed. She is described as a black female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 190 pounds. She wore her hair in a braided style. Police said that shortly after midnight, Johnson shot a woman in front of the grocery store at 1747 Columbia Road NW. The victim was shot in the neck and remained in critical condition Thursday Anyone who knows her whereabouts should take no direct action but call police at 202-727-9099, police said. – Scott McCabe

Gay-lesbian liaison unit gets kudos from chief

D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier once floated the idea of disbanding her agency’s gay and lesbian liaison unit. On Thursday, she congratulated the team for solving an attack on a gay man in Georgetown. Phillip Anderton Cooney was charged with assault stemming from a fight on Sept. 9. The statement said that “Lanier expressed her appreciation for the quick work by [gay and lesbian unit] Officer Joseph Morquecho.” – Bill Myers