Knife-Wielding Purse Snatcher Jailed

A Hudson Valley man who stole two women’s purses at knife-point and was later tackled by witnesses is going to spend many years in jail.

On Tuesday in Ulster County Court, 38-year-old Christopher D. Hasenflue of Kingston was sentenced 20 years in prison and five years post-release supervision.

In late December 2016, Hasenflue pleaded guilty to an August 2016 robbery.

On August 9, 2016, Hasenflue grabbed a purse off a table while a 48-year-old woman was having a meal at an outside table in the City of Kingston.

A witness chased after Hasenflue, tackled him to the ground and grabbed back the purse.

Hasenflue displayed a knife and briefly chased the person who picked up the purse. He ran away when witnesses said they were calling 911.

Minutes later, Hasenflue robbed a 67-year-old woman of her purse at knife point.

Two more witnesses heard the woman scream, noticed Hasenflue running with a purse and chased after him.

Witnesses were able to direct police to the area were Hasenflue was last seen. He was taken into custody a short time later.

According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, Hasenflue was convicted of attempted robbery in 2007.

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