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Suspect Arrested In Brutal Purse-Snatch Robbery Of 93-Year-Old

CONCORD (CBS SF) -- A suspect wanted in a brazen purse-snatch robbery near a bank in Concord that left a 93-year-old woman hospitalized with a broken hip has been arrested, authorities said.

Concord police said Oakland resident Otto Halafihi -- whose image was captured on surveillance cameras -- turned himself in to detectives at a police sub-station in Patterson on Wednesday night.

The 29-year-old was transported back to Contra Costa County where he was being charged with robbery and elder abuse.

Meanwhile, Fremont police also have charged Halafihi in the May 9th armed robbery of a Lowe's Improvement store.

Concord officers responded to the 1000 block of Sunvalley Boulevard just after 4 p.m. Friday on report of a robbery.

They found a 64-year-old woman and the 93-year-old, both of whom had their purses stolen by a suspect described as a bald Pacific Islander man in his 30s with a heavy build, a tattoo on his right forearm and "gauge" type earrings.

purse snatching suspect
Surveillance images of purse snatching suspect (Concord Police Dept.)

Police said the suspect was last seen fleeing the scene in a white sedan that may have been a Chevrolet Malibu.

In the Fremont case, witnesses have identified Halafihi as the armed gunman in the robbery that occurred at the Lowe's in the 43000 block of Pacific Commons Blvd.

Investigators said that as Halafihi approached the register area of the store he lifted the front of his shirt and grabbed a black semi-automatic handgun from his waistband.

The store employees became fearful and backed away from the register for their personal safety.

Investigators said Halafihi verbally threatened to shoot the employees if they didn't back away. He picked up the two items he had been carrying and quickly exited the store. Store employees and witnesses saw the suspect fleeing the scene in what was described as a white colored 4-door Sedan.

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