Purse Snatcher Thwarted, Arrested

A woman walking out of the Ralph’s grocery on Lake Ave. at Walnut St. fell prey to a robber Wednesday night around 9:41 p.m., but she fought off the assailant and he fled.

Pasadena Police Lt. Terysa Rojas said the victim was followed by the suspect as she walked in the parking lot. As the victim reached her car, the would-be robber tried to grab her purse off her shoulder.

There was a “short struggle” for the purse. The victim did not let go, Rojas said, and the suspect fled.

“A Patrol Officer observed a suspect matching the description two blocks away, detained him and subsequently arrested him,” Rojas said.

Geno Neighbors, 39, transient, was taken into custody for attempted robbery. The victim was not injured, Rojas said.