Purse snatchers arrested in Gilroy

Santa Clara County Sheriff and Highway Patrol officers have
their weapons drawn as they detain a robbery suspect on southbound
U.S. 101
A man whom police say snatched a woman’s purse from a grocery cart outside Safeway was arrested in Gilroy and booked into Santa Clara County Jail. 

Morgan Hill police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer said Juan Garcia, 21, of Salinas, a passenger in a silver Honda Accord, stole a purse owned by Morgan Hill resident Lourdes Barraza, who was loading her groceries into her car as her 5-year-old daughter stood beside her about 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Safeway on Dunne Avenue.

The purse was later found in the Honda.

According to Neumayer, Garcia was charged with strongarm robbery, and four others were booked on a variety of charges stemming from conspiracy to possessing pot.

Barraza struggled with Garcia, according to Neumayer, trying to take her purse back, but he pulled it away, knocking her to the ground.

She was bruised and scraped by the fall, but she refused medical attention. Her daughter was not injured during the scuffle. 

She gave police a description of Garcia and the car, and officers were alerted to be on the lookout for the car. 

About 45 minutes later, Sgt. Shane Palsgrove spotted a car matching the description of the Honda on East Dunne Avenue, entering U.S. 101. Palsgrove followed the Honda south after he recognized Garcia in the back of the car. 

Other Morgan Hill officers joined in the pursuit, attempting to get the Honda to pull over. The driver of the Honda was not going more than 10 mph over the speed limit, but did not immediately pull over when patrol car lights were flashing. 

With help from the California Highway Patrol, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Gilroy Police Department, Morgan Hill officers closed the highway and stopped the car at the Leavesley Road exit. 

When officers searched the Honda, they found Barraza’s purse in the back seat.

Four others in the Honda were arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Jail.

Mario Alvarez, 26, of Salinas, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of marijuana. Apolinar Lara, 19, of Salinas, was arrested on suspicion of violation of parole and conspiracy to commit robbery. Nadia Rubalcava, 25, was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest, and the driver of the Honda, Antonio Gonzales, 24, of Soledad, was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to a felony, conspiracy to commit robbery, evading police and suspicion of driving under the influence.