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(Memphis 3/10/10) It's been a rough week for a pair of purse-snatchers who went head-to-head with a string of obstacles -- including a 6'4" witness who chased them down.
Police have one man in custody for questioning and think the robbers have been on a crime spree that started with a carjacking. Now, cops have tied that car to three separate crimes, but it hasn't been a easy road for these criminals.
Police say on Saturday, a man left the Smart Mart on Highland Avenue and carjacked a woman at the pumps. They lost track of both the suspect and the car, but now believe he went on a purse-snatching rampage using the stolen vehicle.
Two days later, the 2002 Toyota Camry reappeared in the same part of town. This time, police reports say the suspect drove up to a woman and her friend and asked "did they need a ride". When they said no, the suspects in "the Camry bumped the victim's left knee twice" sending her to the hospital. They grabbed her purse, but crashed into a fence during their escape. After the crash, the woman's friend "snatched the purse back from the suspects through the passenger's window".
Later that day, another witness became their next obstacle -- all 6'4" of him. Donald Fowler says he wasn't about to be a quiet bystander when he saw the suspects stalk their next victim in the Cooper-Young area.
"I knew something was up... I heard her scream and I came around the corner. I was about ten feet away from him and he jumped in his car and took off," says Fowler who chased the car on foot. "I probably would have grabbed the purse or at least got him down like I was the police or something, but I don't know what I would have done."
Police eventually caught up with one man who they are questioning in connection to the crimes but may still be looking for the second. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH.
- 2002 Toyota Camry carjacked at 613 South Highland
- Same car used in two subsequent purse-snatchings
- Victims and witnesses fought back each time
(Memphis 3/10/10) It's been a rough week for a pair of purse-snatchers who went head-to-head with a string of obstacles -- including a 6'4" witness who chased them down.
Police have one man in custody for questioning and think the robbers have been on a crime spree that started with a carjacking. Now, cops have tied that car to three separate crimes, but it hasn't been a easy road for these criminals.
Police say on Saturday, a man left the Smart Mart on Highland Avenue and carjacked a woman at the pumps. They lost track of both the suspect and the car, but now believe he went on a purse-snatching rampage using the stolen vehicle.
Two days later, the 2002 Toyota Camry reappeared in the same part of town. This time, police reports say the suspect drove up to a woman and her friend and asked "did they need a ride". When they said no, the suspects in "the Camry bumped the victim's left knee twice" sending her to the hospital. They grabbed her purse, but crashed into a fence during their escape. After the crash, the woman's friend "snatched the purse back from the suspects through the passenger's window".
Later that day, another witness became their next obstacle -- all 6'4" of him. Donald Fowler says he wasn't about to be a quiet bystander when he saw the suspects stalk their next victim in the Cooper-Young area.
"I knew something was up... I heard her scream and I came around the corner. I was about ten feet away from him and he jumped in his car and took off," says Fowler who chased the car on foot. "I probably would have grabbed the purse or at least got him down like I was the police or something, but I don't know what I would have done."
Police eventually caught up with one man who they are questioning in connection to the crimes but may still be looking for the second. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH.
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