Elderly woman shoved, robbed

Joseph Kovaleski, 22, of Boomer, N.C., was arrested by the Bloomington Police Department on Sunday for allegedly assaulting a 77-year-old woman and attempting to steal her lottery tickets.

At about 2:24 p.m., BPD Officer Amy Romoser responded to a robbery call at the Marsh Supermarket West parking lot, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said.

The victim told police she was walking out of the store with four lottery tickets and a debit card in her hand when Kovaleski approached her.

He allegedly pulled the woman’s hair and tried to grab the items from her hand. He obtained two of the lottery tickets, Canada said.

After throwing the victim onto the sidewalk, Canada said Kovaleski ran north behind the supermarket.

Although Romoser was responding to an accident in the TJ Maxx parking lot, she left the scene to search for Kovaleski.
 
Romoser said she found Kovaleski walking on Alexander Drive. As she approached him in her squad car, Kovaleski began walking more quickly, turning toward her and asking what she wanted.

To stop Kovaleski, Canada said Romoser pulled her police-issued firearm on Kovaleski. Kovaleski stopped and Romoser proceeded with the arrest.
BPD officer Monica Zahaski also responded to the scene.

She said Kovaleski told her he did rob the woman of two lottery tickets. He said he stole the lottery tickets because he did not have any money and hoped to obtain money through the tickets. Kovaleski denied pushing the victim to the ground.

After his arrest, Romoser took Kovaleski back to the Marsh Supermarket parking lot. The woman and other witnesses identified Kovaleski as the alleged culprit.

Canada said Kovaleski was carrying two lottery tickets, two cell phones, a container of Icy Hot, a screwdriver and $20 in cash.

Kovaleski is being charged for the felony of robbery with injury, battery and two outstanding warrants for his arrest for theft.

Canada said the woman was treated for minor injuries in the parking lot.

— Mark Keierleber