A Redwood City police officer arrested a suspected purse thief after the suspect led the officer on a car chase on Tuesday at 12:22 p.m.
Jeffery Smith, 42, allegedly approached a 65-year-old Redwood City woman and grabbed her by the arm. He snatched a shopping bag out of her hands, which Office Carmine Galotta, Jr., witnessed while patrolling the area of Virginia Avenue and Anamor Street.
Officer Galotta stopped his vehicle and attempted to contact the suspect. The suspect ran to awaiting vehicle and fled at a high speed westbound on Anamor Street.
Galotta followed the suspect to Anamor Street at Hampton Avenue, when the suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a parked car on Hampton Avenue.
Galotta took the suspect into custody and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for robbery and a parole violation.
The victim was not hurt and her property was returned to her.
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