Two strong-armed purse-snatchings downtown in one week
Justin Tyson. Photo courtesy of MBPD
Police arrested a parolee in connection with one of two strong-armed robberies in Manhattan Beach this past week, where women standing on downtown sidewalks were accosted by men in dark hooded sweatshirts, according to police. In one instance, the suspect claimed to be armed, authorities said.
On Sunday, Manhattan Beach Police arrested Justin Tyson of Fontana for allegedly grabbing the purse of a 39-year-old Manhattan woman near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Ninth Street. According to police, Tyson is on parole for carrying a loaded firearm.
Four days earlier, a 26-year-old Manhattan woman reported her purse stolen after a man grabbed her arm and wrestled the bag from her. He then took off on foot, authorities said.
“We are not saying that Tyson is responsible for both of these incidents,” said MBPD Officer Stephanie Martin. “The first one is still under investigation. But we are trying to see if he is responsible for both, since they were within a few days of each other, and the same M.O. and approach were used.”
At 10:34 p.m. on June 2, a female resident was walking with a male friend near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Eleventh Street, when a man grabbed her arm, simulated carrying a handgun and snatched her purse before taking off.
“She was on the sidewalk when this person approached her,” Martin said. “There were some words exchanged and then he grabbed the purse.”
Martin declined to comment further on the first incident as it is still under investigation.
Police said the victim described the suspect as a white male, 25 to 30 years old, 5 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft. tall, 140-170 lbs. wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with white shorts. No weapon was seen by the victim and no arrests have been made in connection with the first robbery.
The more recent victim was waiting for friends at roughly 1 a.m. Sunday when a man approached and asked for a cigarette, according to police. The man then grabbed the victim’s purse off of her arm and fled on foot, Martin said.
The victim immediately reported the incident to police and described the suspect as a male of mixed race, 20 to 30 years old with a thin build and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
Within 90 minutes, police arrested Tyson, a 29-year-old black male, near the intersection of Ocean Drive and First Street as he approached a parked gold Nissan Altima. At the time of the arrest, he was on parole having been convicted of carrying a loaded firearm, according to police.
“One of our officers was driving around the area,” Martin said. “He saw [the alleged] and he matched the description.”
No property was recovered from Tyson during the arrest. According to Martin, he was later positively identified by the victim.
“There were no injuries in either incident,” Martin said. “Nobody was physically attacked or hurt or struck.”
The second victim lost roughly a couple hundred dollars worth of property, according to Martin, along with a Balenciaga purse – the brand generally retails upwards of $1,000 per bag.
Tyson was held without bail, due to his parole, until he faced felony robbery charges Tuesday at Torrance Superior Court. The case was rejected by the district attorney, according to an official at the court house.
Martin said it is important for residents to be extra vigilant with the arrival of warmer temperatures when, historically, similar crimes are on the rise.
Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents should contact Officer Martin at (310) 802-5186 or Detective Sgt. Brian Brown at (310) 802-5123. ER