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WATCH ABOVE: Teen boy arrested after string of purse-snatchings

TORONTO – Toronto police have arrested a youth in connection to a series of violent purse-snatchings in the downtown Toronto area over the weekend that prompted a public safety alert.

Police say four incidents were reported Sunday between 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Bathurst Street and Front Street area with the victims being women in their 20s.

All the cases involved two males approaching the women and demanding their purses.

In one incident, the suspect took out a gun and shot rounds into the ground.

In another, the suspects allegedly pushed one of the victims to the ground and grabbed her in a headlock or a choke hold.

Police say a 14-year-old boy is in custody related to two of the robberies.

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“All women did receive non-life threatening injuries,” said Toronto police Cst. Jeniffer Sidhu. “However they were traumatized by the fact that during broad daylight in a busy area, during the holiday season, they were taken for a surprise, assaulted and attacked.”

The second suspect is described as male, 14 years of age, between five-feet seven-inches to six-feet tall, wearing dark clothing and a hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.