By Joe Bachman

A 32-year-old man is charged with robbery after police say he robbed a woman of her purse on the side of a road and drove away in a van.

David Krezinski, of Wisconsin Rapids, is charged with robbery by force. According to police reports, on Aug. 8, 2015, a call was placed to dispatch from the 300 block of 13th Ave. South at 12:27 a.m. An officer met with the complainant regarding a robbery that took place.

According to the complainant, her and a friend were walking northbound on 13th Ave. South when a light colored van pulled alongside them. Three people got out of the van, one of whom was identified by the complainant as David Krezinski. Krezinski then allegedly grabbed her from behind and took her purse.

The three got back into the van soon after and drove away. The complainant told police that she recognized Krezinski from an earlier visit to a friend’s where Krezinski was at. She believed Krezinski knew she would have money, as she informed a friend that she had just cashed a check while Krezinski was present.

If convicted, Krezinski faces up to 15 years imprisonment and up to $50,000 in fines. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Mar. 10.