Bystanders thwart robbery attempt in PATH station

Several onlookers in the World Trade Center PATH station helped restrain a would-be robber until officers arrived, the Port Authority police department said.

At 3 p.m. Monday, officials arrested 23-year-old Christopher L. Lange, of Brooklyn. The victim, a 21-year-old woman, reported to police that Lange tried to snatch her purse while they were on the escalator. He pulled at her purse several times, attempting to snatch it from the victim’s hands.

Police said Lange then continued down the escalator without the victim’s purse, and attempted to snatch another person’s purse when bystanders approached and began fighting with the suspect, attempting to restrain him.

Lange has been charged with attempted robbery.