A Clinton man will spend seven years in prison for stalking a woman celebrating her 76th birthday and stealing her purse from a restaurant bathroom last January.
Salvatore John Digennaro, 24, pleaded guilty this week to grand larceny in the purse snatching and was sentenced by Circuit Judge M. James Chaney to seven years in prison followed by three years’ probation.
Digennaro faced up to 10 years in prison, Assistant District Attorney Angela Carpenter said.
“We’re pleased with the sentence. We believe it’s adequate punishment for the crime, especially since it was an elderly victim,” Carpenter said.
Digennaro snatched the purse containing $2,000 Jan. 5, 2014, from a Lake Providence La., woman he followed from a Ameristar Casino to Roca Restaurant and Bar at Vicksburg Country Club.
During dinner, the woman and a friend went tot the restroom, and the woman left her walker and her purse in the care the friend in a communal area of the restroom.
Digennaro entered the women’s bathroom, gapped the burse and left the building, police said.
In 2008, Digennaro was arrested in Hinds County and charged with aggravated assault after police said he shot his mother, Ellen Lou Digennaro, in the face.
After beind held on $1 million bail, the charge was remanded in 2009.