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Okeechobee purse snatching victim receives Happy Meal from McDonald's

Posted at 2:40 PM, Dec 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-12 04:07:37-05

A purse snatching victim received a special delivery Tuesday afternoon.

76-year-old Janice Allen spent two days in the hospital after being knocked down and nearly run over outside a McDonald's in the 400 block of NE Park St. in Okeechobee.

WARNING: Some viewers may find the full video of the incident disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.

 

 

On Tuesday, a manager from the restaurant stopped by Allen's home and gave her a Happy Meal and two gift cards.

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"That’s very nice, I really appreciate that," said Bill Allen, Janice's husband.

Police said 50-year-old Charles Stratton snuck up behind Allen and stole her handbag Thursday night, while she was eating dinner with a friend.

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Charles Stratton (Source: Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office)

Surveillance video showed Allen chasing after the thief as he ran to his car.

As he backed up to get away, Allen was knocked over. She smacked her head on the concrete and said everything went black.

"I have no broken bones, but I'm badly bruised," Allen told WPTV on Monday night.

Janice's daughter, Patricia, who lives in Ohio, called McDonald’s to see if they would deliver the Happy Meal after seeing our story and hearing that her mother didn’t get to finish her meal last week.

“We wanted to let her know that it was from everyone from Ohio that loves her, and we’re glad she’s OK," said Patricia Allen.

"We appreciate Janice’s love for the Happy Meal, and we’re thrilled to bring a smile to her face with a complimentary meal and gift card," said a McDonald's spokesperson on Tuesday.

Stratton is now facing several charges, including robbery and grand theft.

"I pray that his heart will be softened so he can find the Lord, whether he goes to prison or whatever happens to him," Allen told WPTV on Monday night.

WPTV's Ryan Hughes is working this story, and will have updates throughout the day online and on air.