KXO RADIO - Strong Arm Robber Meets Strong Willed Woman

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Todays is : Monday, 01 December 2008

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Written by Carroll Buckley
Monday, 12 May 2008
El Centro Police arrested a strong armed robbery suspect Sunday after a woman refused to give up with out a fight. Police say a 48 year old El Centro woman was shopping at the El Centro Wal Mart store when she was pushed from behind and knocked to the ground. Her purse was grabbed from the shopping cart and the mugger ran out of the store. The woman chased the suspect into the parking lot where the robber got in a car. Before he could make his getaway the woman jumped on the hood of the car and refused to get off. Several moments passed before the thief threw the womans purse out of the car. The victim then told the suspect she was not going to get off the car until police arrived. but eventually she did get off the hood and the suspect fled. Sgt Jeff Mason of the El Centro Police Department said the victim was able to give police the full license plate of the car and officers were waiting at an address in the 300 block of South Hope Street when the car arrived. The suspect fled on foot, leaving behind his wife and infant child. Officers followed the suspect into the residence and found him hiding. He was arrested without further incident. 24 year old Jorge Alvarado was subsequently booked into Imperial County Jail and charged with strong armed robbery. Bail was set at $50,000. His wife and child had nothing to do with the robbery and were released. Sgt. Mason said "The victims tenacious attitude coupled with her ability to describe the suspect and remember the license plate of the car really helped solve the crime quickly." El Centro Police say they don't advocate victims taking such action but until a person is put in that position they never know how they will react. Police said the victim should be applauded for her courage. They also thanked the witnesses who stepped forward to initially call police and provide statements to responding officers.