Santa Paulan chased, held by citizens after Ventura purse snatch
February 29, 2008
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A Santa Paulan who allegedly snatched a woman’s purse after she struggled and fell down in a supermarket parking lot in Ventura Tuesday evening was arrested after witnesses gave chase and tackled him, according to the Ventura Police Department.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paulan who allegedly snatched a woman’s purse after she struggled and fell down in a supermarket parking lot in Ventura Tuesday evening was arrested after witnesses gave chase and tackled him, according to the Ventura Police Department.The robbery occurred on February 26 at about 8:30 p.m. outside Vons supermarket, located at 2764 Thompson Blvd., when a 27-year-old Ventura woman was walking into the store from the parking lot. Several male suspects approached the unidentified woman and grabbed her purse.In the ensuing struggle the woman attempted to hold on to her purse, but she released it when she fell to the ground. A group of five store employees and bystanders witnessed the crime and chased the suspects onto Frances Street.
One of the suspects fled towards Thompson Boulevard and escaped, but the citizens grabbed the second suspect as he tried to get into a waiting car. After they tackled and retained the suspect the vehicle took off.Ventura Police officers responded to the scene, where they took Daniel Blancarte, 18, of Santa Paula, into custody. Blancarte was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of robbery.The investigation and search for the other suspects, according to a Ventura Police Department spokesman, is continuing.