Police: Valet's umbrella saves woman from attack

BOSTON — A Boston parking valet armed with an umbrella is being credited for helping a woman fight off a knife-wielding purse snatcher. Police said Tuesday that 61-year-old Barbara Pero of Auburn was attacked Monday night outside a Boston condominium just after her car was brought up by a valet parking service. A man forced his way into the car and threatened to kill her.

When Pero jumped out and screamed, 23-year-old valet Felix Vega grabbed a blue wood-handled umbrella from his manager's office and began beating the suspect.

Forty-eight-year-old Richard Morse fled but was arrested nearby with Pero's purse. He was ordered held on $150,000 cash bail Tuesday after a judge was told he has previous convictions for mayhem and armed robbery. It was unclear if Morse had hired an attorney.

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Nov 03, 2009 - 6:28 p.m. EDT

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