Roanoke police have charged three juveniles with robbing an out-of-state woman of her purse last week in the parking lot of the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.

A 57-year-old woman from New Jersey was in the parking lot about 9 p.m. Aug. 22 when she was approached by three boys, said police spokeswoman Aisha Johnson.

One of them grabbed her purse, then the three fled on foot. The woman grabbed and detained a 12-year-old boy, Johnson said.

Officers later found another juvenile. Both were later released from custody.

On Wednesday, police charged three boys -- ages 12, 13 and 14 -- with robbery. Their names were not released because of their ages.

Police do not believe this purse snatching is related to six others reported in July and August, Johnson said.

Three of those were on Winborne Street Southwest; the others occurred in the 100 block of Church Avenue Southwest, the 500 block of Mountain Avenue Southwest and the 400 block of Elm Avenue Southeast.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Roanoke police at 853-5959 or the Crime Line at 344-8500.

-- Amanda Codispoti