A Hemet man was arrested Monday afternoon after stealing a purse from a senior citizen

Good Citizens Make Apprehension of Robbery Suspect...

A Hemet man was arrested Monday afternoon after stealing a purse from a senior citizen.

At about 3:27 pm on Monday the 16th, the Hemet Police Dispatch Center received a call about a ‘strong arm’ robbery that had just occurred in the 700 block of E. Latham Ave. The reporting party provided a description of the suspect and told dispatch that he was last seen running north on Taylor St.

As officers were responding, another witness called and told dispatch that several bystanders had chased the suspect through a park in the area and detained him in the 600 block of E. Latham Ave. Officers responded to the location and detained the suspect, Timothy Helton, for robbery.

Further investigation revealed that Helton forcibly grabbed the purse from the arm of the eighty year old female victim and ran into Weston Park. Several citizens saw the crime and chased Helton through the park and ultimately detained him until officers arrived. As Helton was running, he dropped the victim’s purse which was recovered and returned to the victim. Helton was positively identified as the suspect by the victim and several witnesses.

Thankfully, the victim was not injured and all of her property was returned.

Helton was arrested for Robbery and Elder abuse and later transported to the Riverside County Jail.

Arrested: Timothy Helton, 29 year old Hemet Transient
Charges: Robbery and Elder Abuse
Bail: $30,000.00