The accused purse-snatcher who crushed a Good Samaritan with his van was in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Thursday.  32-year-old Zachary Martin faces felony charges of robbery, assault with a weapon and criminal mischief, as well as two misdemeanor charges of theft.  His bond was at $30,000.
He allegedly stole the 85-year-old woman’s purse at Kmart on June 19, dragged her to the ground, then got into a white van and attempted to drive away.  A 51-year-old man who saw the incident tried to reach into the van window and grab the keys or purse, but he was pinned between a parked vehicle and the van and suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung.  Police traced the van registration to Martin’s mother, who let officers know where the van was parked.  He claims someone else did it.
Martin is scheduled to appear in Yellowstone County District Court on June 30.

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