Two people accused in the daytime purse snatching and assault of an 80-year-old victim at the Augusta Mall must await possible indictment and trial in jail.
At a joint bond hearing Friday, Sept. 9, in Richmond County Superior Court, Judge Jesse Stone denied bond for Verneka Ware, 48, and Brain Boggan, 46. Both were arrested last month in connection with the robbery that occurred June 21.
Assistant District Attorney Larry Smith said the victim had been shopping at the mall before a man accosted her with a gun and grabbed the woman’s red purse. When she tried to resist, the man hit her in the head with the gun before running away with her purse, Smith said.
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An officer at the mall who hadn’t yet heard of the assault saw a man running across the parking lot to a vehicle, Smith said. He was seen carrying a red purse. Ware and Boggan were later seen on video using one of the victim’s credit cards, Smith said.
Defense attorney Greg Gelpi stressed that only one person attacked the victim, and at most, Ware was only driving the vehicle. She is a native of Augusta and before her arrest she was working and active in her church. Ware is also in need of medical treatment, Gelpi said.
Defense attorney Zackary Goolsby said Boggan is a high school graduate with a long, steady work history. He was working two jobs before his arrest, Goolsby said.
Both defendants are charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, exploitation of an elderly or disabled person, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
