Police Arrest 1 Suspect and Another Remains at Large in Tuesday's Purse Snatching

(L) Sechrist, (R) Whitley via TTPD

Texarkana Texas Police have arrested a suspect in the robbery of an elderly woman at a local grocery store Tuesday. Another suspect is still at large and police are asking for your help in locating him.


On Tuesday a 79-year-old woman was leaving the Albertson's on Richmond Road when she was attacked and robbed by Anthony Whitley. Whitley then got into a vehicle driven by Charles Sechrist. Sechrist was stopped as his maroon Mustang matched the description of the vehicle used in the crime and was arrested on outstanding warrants. Police found evidence in his car that ties him to the crime. An arrest warrant has been issued for Whitley.

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We have identified the two subjects involved in the aggravated robbery that occurred Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Albertson’s Grocery Store in the 2300 block of Richmond Road.
Officer Corey Motley stopped a maroon Ford Mustang yesterday on New Boston Road after he recognized it as matching the description of the vehicle involved in the robbery on Tuesday. The driver, Charles Sechrist, 28, of Texarkana Texas, had outstanding warrants and was arrested. There was evidence found inside the vehicle that tied Sechrist to the robbery. He is being held at the Bi-State Jail on a $100,000 bond for the Aggravated Robbery charge.An arrest warrant for Aggravated Robbery has been issued for Joseph Anthony Whitley, 27, of Texarkana, Arkansas. He has been identified as the second subject involved in the robbery.
On Tuesday, a 79 year old woman was returning to her vehicle after leaving the store. As she got to her vehicle, she was suddenly approached by Whitley who grabbed her purse from her arm. She fell to the ground as he pulled the purse away from her. Whitley then ran to a mid-1990’s maroon Ford Mustang that was being driven by Sechrist. The vehicle was last seen headed toward Mall Drive at a high rate of speed. The victim was transported to Christus St. Michael Hospital by LifeNet for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the robbery.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Whitley is asked to call the Texarkana Police Department at 903-798-3116 or CrimeStoppers at 903-794-STOP.

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