Thanks to good police-work and a little bit of luck, Seattle Police Robbery detectives nabbed a robber that they believe responsible for several “purse-snatches” dating back to late August.
Detectives just recently pieced together information that led them to believe that a particular individual was responsible for several of these cases in the Central Business District/Downtown area. On October 16th at 1:39 PM, they were out looking for this man when they heard over the police radio that another purse snatch had just occurred at 8th Avenue S and S Jackson Street. The Robbery detectives, supported by Patrol, Traffic and SWAT officers, swarmed the area. The suspect was located, purse in hand. He made a break for it and led officers and detectives on a foot pursuit. While being chased, the suspect crossed a freeway overpass and threw his latest victim’s purse onto I-5 at 6th and James. Fortunately, no collisions occurred and officers were able to recover the purse. Still running, the officers and detectives finally caught up with the suspect in the 1000 block of S Main Street and took him into custody.
Robbery detectives identified the suspect as Samual Jenkins, age 41. He was booked into King County Jail for 3 counts of Investigation of Robbery. The purse was returned to its rightful owner.