Houston police say that a tip from Crime Stoppers helped them identify a man who may have been involved in three robberies that occurred in local Walmart parking lots on Feb. 2, Feb. 21 and March 1. According to news sources, the 21-year-old man has been taken into custody and is now facing charges of robbery bodily injury in connection with the purse-snatching incidents.
The first incident took place at the Walmart located at 13484 Northwest Freeway when a robber, who was behind the wheel of a black Pontiac Grand Am, drove by a woman who was walking to her vehicle in the parking lot. Investigators say that the man leaned out the driver’s side window and grabbed the woman’s purse. Sources indicate that no injuries were reported in this case, but minor injuries were reported following two similar incidents that later occurred in another Walmart parking lot located at 10750 Westview Drive. During each of these subsequent robberies, a woman was dragged to the ground as a man in a black Pontiac Grand Am drove away with her purse.
Few additional details about the robberies or the charges are available at press time. However, Houston residents may be interested in knowing that one consequence of a conviction in cases like this in Texas is a permanent criminal record, which could adversely affect an individual’s future career prospects. Depending on the circumstances, penalties for a theft conviction may be harsh and could include probation, fines and a potentially lengthy prison sentence.
Individuals who find themselves facing misdemeanor or felony theft charges may find it beneficial to seek advice from a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. After reviewing the facts of the case, the attorney may be able to identify a viable defense or present options to the client that could lead to a favorable outcome in some situations.
Source: Click2Houston.com, “HPD arrests man suspected in three purse snatchings,” John Brannen, March 20, 2015