Thornton Man Arrested In Attempted Purse Robbery

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4)- A Thornton man has been arrested by police in Brighton and charged with aggravated robbery and assault in the third degree.

Russell Gonzales was arrested April 30 just minutes after the alleged robbery.

Police said a Commerce City woman was standing in line just after 8 p.m. at the King Soopers located at 4th and Bromley Lane.

The man grabbed the 32-year-old's purse and when she wouldn't let go he began to drag her across the front of the store towards the exit.

When employees and customers of the store noticed the commotion the man let go of the woman and ran from the store.

The woman was hurt in the attack but seriously.

About 10 minutes later two officers saw a man matching the description of the attempted purse robber near the Wendy's restaurant in the Walmart parking lot.

Gonzales, 32, had outstanding warrants and was arrested. Officers later identified him as the attempted purse robber after viewing surveillance video of the incident.