Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
A Shawano woman who allegedly targeted elderly motorists in a pair of purse snatchings earlier this month has been charged with a felony count of robbery for one of the incidents.
Yvonne M. Pyawasay, 49, is charged with felony robbery with the use of force for an alleged purse theft in Shawano on Dec. 18. She also faces a misdemeanor count of theft for allegedly stealing a purse in the town of Herman on Dec. 16.
In the Herman incident, Pyawasay allegedly drove up behind an 86-year-old woman’s vehicle as she was arriving home and told the woman her tail light was out. As the woman went to the back of the car to check the tail light, Pyawasay allegedly stole the woman’s purse from the vehicle.
According to the criminal complaint, the purse contained about $700 in cash.
In the Shawano incident, a 93-year-old woman had just parked her car in her garage, according to the police report, when Pyawasay pulled up and told her that her tail light was out.
The woman thanked her and then went to her mailbox, according to the report. Meanwhile, Pyawasay allegedly went into the woman’s garage and came out with her purse.
There was a struggle between Pyawasay and the 93-year-old woman before Pyawasay fled in her vehicle with the purse, according to the complaint.
Pyawasay could face a maximum 15 years in prison and $50,000 fine if convicted of the robbery charge.
She is scheduled for an initial court appearance Monday.