By Kevin Coughlin
Marshall Webb, arrested on Tuesday in connection with a violent purse-snatching in Morristown over the weekend, is no stranger to the criminal justice system.
The 46-year-old Morristown man surrendered to authorities back in January 2012 in connection with a New Year’s Day home invasion.
A resident of Hillary Avenue told police she was robbed at gunpoint on that holiday morning by a man who forced his way into her locked bedroom and demanded her purse and car keys. The suspect drove off with the victim’s Honda Odyssey and more than $1,300 in cash from the victim’s purse and glove compartment, according to a police report at the time.
Morristown and Morris Township police slapped Webb with 11 charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon, motor vehicle theft, burglary, robbery, fraudulent use of a credit card and resisting arrest.
Webb was sent to the Morris County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. He stayed in the lockup for 924 days.
His case was transferred to Somerset County, where eight counts including first-degree robbery, and burglary and illegal weapons possession were downgraded to “theft by unlawful taking,” a third-degree crime.
Superior Court Judge Paul Armstrong in July 2014 sentenced Webb to his time served in Morris County, with no probation. Webb was ordered to pay restitution to the theft victim.
In a separate case from Morris County, Webb faced charges of stealing and fraudulently using credit cards, along with resisting arrest and obstructing justice.
A plea deal reduced those five counts to credit card theft, a fourth-degree offense. Judge Armstrong imposed the same sentence: Time served, no probation.
Court records indicate prior offenses dating to 1994, when Webb was charged with receiving stolen property. A parole violation followed.
Webb faced drug charges in 2002, and served state prison time between 2005 and 2007 on convictions for eluding police, resisting arrest, and creating a risk with a motor vehicle.
The alleged purse-snatching was reported around 11:20 pm on Saturday by a 40-year-old woman who was walking home on Western Avenue, in the vicinity of Ann and Plum streets.
She told police an unknown man grabbed a purse from her shoulder and ran in the direction of Ann Street. The victim’s arm was cut, and she was taken to the emergency department of Morristown Medical Center for observation.
Webb was arrested without incident. Police described the purse-snatching as a random event.
Morristown detectives were assisted by Morris Township police and investigators from the Morris County Sheriff’s and Prosecutor’s offices.
