Alleged Purse Snatcher Arrested, Caught on Camera Stealing From 81-Year-Old Grandmother

Jose Ernesto Trejo-Guerrero has been arrested by police in Brownsville, Texas, for his alleged involvement in a purse snatching on Dec. 20 that was caught on camera. (Brownsville Police Department)

A 24-year-old man allegedly caught on camera violently tearing the purse out of the hands of an 81-year-old woman in a brazen, Wednesday morning incident in Brownsville, Texas, on Dec. 20, has been arrested by local police, RGVProud reported.

Jose Ernesto Trejo-Guerrero is reportedly spending the Christmas holidays behind bars, several days after the Brownsville Police Department issued a call for tips from the public to help identify the alleged purse snatcher.

According to this Dec. 21 report, Guerrero was caught on surveillance video on the 800 block of East Adams Street in Brownsville, driving  up to an elderly woman walking along the sidewalk at approximately 7:20 a.m. on Dec. 20.

(Screenshot from surveillance video via Brownsville Police Department)

Guerrero stopped the blue Ford Ranger Edge at the side of the road, jumped out, and caught up with Maria Rosales.

Moments later the man grabbed the purse and yanked it out of the elderly woman’s hands.

(Screenshot from surveillance video via Brownsville Police Department)

Guerrero then allegedly darted back to his truck, got in, and proceeded to drive away.

(Screenshot from surveillance video via Brownsville Police Department)

The video shows Rosales stepping out onto the road as the truck swerves around her and speeds away.

(Screenshot from surveillance video via Brownsville Police Department)

RGV reported that according to Brownsville Police records, Guerrero stole about $15 and the woman’s identification cards. Rosales was reportedly walking to her favorite cafe in the area when the incident occurred.

According to the report, Brownsville investigators first located the blue Ford allegedly involved in the crime, and then found Guerrero.

The man reportedly made a statement to police during his interrogation, implicating himself in the crime.

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