Woman slashed in fight with knife-wielding purse snatcher in Fenway

Boston Police reports a woman walking in an alley off Park Drive early this morning found herself under attack by a man with a knife who wanted her purse.

Police provided this account of the struggle around 2:20 a.m. behind 137 Park Dr.:

Officers assigned to District D-4 (South End) responded to a radio call for a person screaming in the area of 137 Park Drive. On arrival, officers located a female victim who stated that she had just been slashed and robbed by a male suspect armed with a knife. The victim stated that while walking in the rear alley of the building she heard a person running up behind her. When she turned around, she was immediately attacked by the suspect who pushed her to the ground while attempting to take her purse. The suspect then pulled out a large knife and threatened to kill her. The victim fought back, kicking and striking the suspect several times until he fled the area on foot. The victim sustained a knife wound during the violent struggle.

Police say the woman gave a detailed description of her attacker before she was taken to a local hospital for her non-life-threatening injuries

Officers canvased the area and came upon a male matching the given description being chased down Saint Stephen Street by a Northeastern University Police Officer. Officers cut off the suspect’s path of flight and wrestled him to the ground, taking him into custody without further incident. Officers later recovered a knife which the suspect had discarded during the foot pursuit.

Wayne Barber, 53, of Dorchester, was charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to murder.

Innocent, etc.