OCPD: 2 Suspects Arrested, 1 On The Run After Violent Purse Snatching

A second suspect has been arrested after a violent purse snatching this week that sent a 67-year-old woman to the hospital.  But the suspect’s mother says her son doesn’t belong behind bars. 

Surveillance video shows the thieves pulling up and grabbing the woman’s purse. She turns around and falls landing face first on the pavement, breaking her nose and cutting her lip so bad she needed 40 stitches.

After the crime, police say the suspects used the victim’s credit cards at a local Walmart.  

Police say they arrested the driver of the car, 24-year old Dez Horn, Wednesday. Thursday, they picked up a second suspect, 22-year-old Troy Martin at his mother’s house in Cashion.

9/1/16 Related Story: Police Looking For Two Men In Connection With Purse Snatching

"He had potential,” said Cashion Police Chief Veronica Thomas. “He was a star baseball player at Cashion and fell into drugs and just destroyed his career. He had so much promise."

Martin’s mother says her son told her about the crime Wednesday. 

"He told me he had something to tell me, and then he sat in the bathroom and cried about it. And over and over. And he kept saying all I can hear is her voice mom,” said Patricia Leggett.

The victim’s voice as she screamed in pain.

"He said that he heard the woman scream. And he kept trying to tell them to stop. And he had his head against the window and he was crying,” continued Leggett.

Police believe Martin was in the car, but the purse was actually grabbed by 27-year old Jesse Bills. Police are still looking for him.  

Martin’s mother, meanwhile, says her son needs help with his addiction, not prison. 

"Just the drug is taking over. It's taken over everything and everybody actually, said Leggett. “He doesn't deserve to go to prison. He's never been in trouble before. He's never done anything like this ever."