Purse Snatch Robbery Suspect Captured
On 10/03/12 at 1042 hours, Hemet Police Department dispatch started receiving calls regarding a
robbery that just occurred in the parking lot of the Walgreens Store located at 1311 E. Florida Ave.,Hemet.
The victim was walking to her vehicle and looking for her keys in her purse when the suspect, later identified as Michael Lewis Smith, approached the victim from the rear and grabbed her purse
away from her. The victim, an elderly female, nearly fell to the ground as Smith robbed her of her purse.
Smith ran S/B towards San Jacinto St. and El Nita St. A witness saw the robbery and chased after Smith. A second witness only saw the first witness chasing Smith and then saw Smith rummaging through a purse and surmised that Smith had just committed a theft. The second witness followed Smith in a vehicle and updated Hemet PD dispatch with Smith’s location and description until officers arrived.
Motor Officer Goodwyn saw Smith on Girard St. south of Acacia Ave. near the First Baptist Church and detained Smith. Smith was positively identified by the victim and witnesses as the robbery suspect. The second witness was also able to assist Hemet Police Officers in locating the victim’s purse and the suspect’s shirt that he discarded.
Smith was later booked into the Riverside County
Jail for 211 PC- Robbery with a bail of $25,000.
Hemet PD File # 12-108695.
This is another example of community members being
observant and assisting law enforcement in catching the
suspect.
Michael Lewis Smith- 20 year old resident of Hemet
Charge: 211 PC- Robbery