Purse Snatch Suspect Arrested, Accused of Robbery, SJ Police Say

SAN JOSE, CA — A 26-year-old San Jose man was arrested on suspicion of robbery when detectives tracked him after a purse snatch incident on the 1500 block of Towers Lane in San Jose, the police department said.

On May 6 at 12:01 p.m., San Jose police officers responded to the incident in which the victim was shown on a surveillance camera walking up a flight of stairs with her young daughter in hand. The suspect approached from behind and violently pulled the purse from the victim, who was dragged down the stairs along with her daughter.

Robbery detectives conducted an extensive investigation and canvassed the area for witnesses and evidence. They located video surveillance of the robbery and the potential suspect vehicle described as a black Lexus 4-door.

The suspect’s description, vehicle and method of operation had connected the suspect identified as Pablo Cabrera, Jr., to other purse-snatch robberies, police said. All of Cabrera’s victims were Asian females carrying expensive purses. Cabrera attacked victims from behind, grabbed their purse, and ran to his car, the department added.

Cabrera was on parole for burglary. He was booked into Santa Clara County Jail, accused of robbery violating a parole obligation.

“We are fortunate this predator was caught before any more members of the public were victimized. I am incredibly proud of the work of our robbery detectives and the continued work the men and women of the San Jose Police Department do on a daily basis," Chief Eddie Garcia said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Daren Reinke of the San Jose Police Department's Robbery Unit at 408-277-4166. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may either call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line, 408-947-STOP (7867).