Rochester man arrested in robbery of woman's cash

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man was arrested on Tuesday and charged in the robbery of a woman earlier this month when he allegedly stole her money then dragged her with his car as she sought to take it back from him.

Mark J. Arabia, 35, of Rochester, was charged with unarmed robbery, a class B felony, as well as a probation violation. Arabia is being held on $5.000 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today in Rochester District Court.    

The unarmed robbery occurred on July 11 around 10:45 p.m., when it is reported that a white male in his 30s had stolen money from a female. The male reportedly grabbed the female’s money and then she was dragged by his vehicle as he left the scene. The vehicle was described as a white pickup. The female was not injured during the incident.  

The female reported she was walking home alone, past Subway on North Main Street, when two male subjects seated in a white truck, parked at Subway's parking lot, said they were stranded and needed money for gas. The female offered to give them some money and took out her money to give them a few dollars, it is alleged.

When she did, the male in the driver’s seat grabbed her money. The female reported the male grabbed both of her hands to get the money and started to drive off in the vehicle. As the male was driving away the female reported she was holding onto her money as they both pulled on the cash. She tried to get her money back and used her elbows to hold herself on the truck as the male was driving away. She said the male then pushed on her arms and neck and pushed her away before driving off with her money.

The female described the male driver as in his mid-30s with light skin and dirty blonde hair with a medium build. The other male in the passenger seat was described as having a beard and was heavy set.

Police are asking the public if they have any further knowledge of the incident to please contact Detective Mundy at 330-7106 or call Rochester Crimeline at 335-6500. All calls to the Rochester Crimeline will remain confidential and rewards are given for information, which leads to arrests. You can also text the Rochester Crimline at Crimes (274637) in the body write, TEXT4CASH followed by your tip.