A Worcester man appeared in court by video Friday to face charges that he punched a woman in the face and robbed her in front of her husband.
Police said Albert Hines, 47, punched the woman in a parking lot and grabbed her wallet. The woman’s husband and another witness allegedly chased Hines into an alley, where police said they found him in a stairway.
Prosecutors said Hines was found with $40 cash on him, the amount of money the woman said was in her wallet. Her wallet was found near Hines in the stairwell.
Hines’ defense attorney said his client is innocent and was sleeping off a heroin high in the stairway.
Police said Hines has a nine-page criminal record that includes robberies, assaults and motor vehicle homicide. He has also served several years behind bars.
The woman was treated for facial injuries. Neither Hines’ attorney nor police said why he has been hospitalized.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)