Police Ask Good Samaritans To Come Forward After Thwarting Purse Theft
LA HABRA (CBSLA.com) — Police are asking two good Samaritans to come forward after they successfully confronted a man suspected in a purse snatching who had targeted a woman in La Habra.
The victim, an 82-year-old woman, was apparently leaving church on Lambert Road on Sunday when she became the target of theft.
Charles Farley, who owns La Habra Auto Sales, captured what appears to be two people coming to the woman's aid moments later.
"He [the suspect] ended up stealing the purse from her and then making his way through the parking lot. And about 20 seconds later, I saw her running," Farley said.
"This good Samaritan, apparently he pulled up and he told the guy to drop the bag," he added.
Security video appears to capture the suspect running with the purse and a long metal bar before he is confronted by the pair.
"The guy gets out, and he's a big, brawny guy. And his friend apparently gets out of the backseat. And they just - almost pick him up to slam him up against the Sienna," Farley said.
Police subsequently booked La Habra resident Alfredo Lezama, 25, on suspicion of robbery.
La Habra police would now like the men involved to identify themselves.
"It tells me that we still have some people that care and want to get involved and to help," Sgt. Jose Quirarte said.
