Boston police arrest purse snatcher after chase onto Esplanade

By Alli Knothe, Globe Correspondent

A Boston man was chased by police and arrested on the Esplanade after he allegedly snatched a woman’s purse while she walked next to Boston Common.

The victim told police that she was walking with a friend at about 2:15 a.m. Thursday near 84 Beacon St., near the famed Cheers pub, when the suspect, William Melton, 34, allegedly pushed her from behind, stole the purse, and fled.

Soon after, a man matching the suspect’s description was spotted by police a few blocks away on the pedestrian bridge that arches over Storrow Drive to the Esplanade, police said.

When he saw officers following him, Melton led the officers on a brief foot chase and tried to hide along the riverbank before being arrested, police said.

He faces charges of assault and battery and unarmed robbery, police said.