Man Arrested for Stealing Lady’s Pocketbook – Theft Recorded by Cameras
Photo: Neil Colvin
SAN RAFAEL — A man who police say stole a pocketbook from an old lady was arrested last week. The suspect’s actions were recorded by security cameras inside a supermarket.
The 87-year-old victim was shopping at Safeway located at 700 B Street on the afternoon of April 30th. She had her handbag perched inside the top part of a shopping cart when the suspect snatched it.
The victim noticed a young man repeatedly approach her from the side, as she walked up and down the aisles. Moments after he passed by again, she noticed her pocketbook was missing, and she promptly notified a store employee.
While she was reporting the theft, another store employee saw a man running from the store. The police were notified and an officer in a patrol car spotted the suspect about one block away.
He was standing on the corner of A Street and Second Street, holding a wallet and rifling through its contents. The officer stopped the patrol car and attempted to detain the suspect, but he started running towards downtown.
Additional officers converged in the area and searched for him. The suspect identified as 27-year-old Neil J. Colvin was apprehended after a brief foot chase. Colvin is a San Rafael resident who is frequently in trouble with the law.
This time Colvin was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, resisting an officer and probation violation. He was booked at Marin County Jail before being released.
Over the last three years Colvin has been arrested six times for narcotics possession and DUIs. He has also been arrested previously for receiving stolen property, tampering with a vehicle, among other offenses.
