Suspected Purse Snatchers Arrested in Palm Desert

Deputies arrested a young couple suspected of stealing the purse of a 92-year-old woman at a Palm Desert Albertsons market, a sheriff’s department spokesman said today.

The theft happened Wednesday when the couple entered the Albertsons store in the 42000 block of Washington Street, took the purse and ran off, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Buomensiero.

While serving a search warrant Thursday at an apartment in the 77400 block of Michigan Drive in Palm Desert, deputies found the purse and its contents, Buomensiero said.

Antonio Michael Gardoni, 20, and Tawney Mae Anthony, 19, were arrested and booked into the Indio Jail on suspicion of burglary, theft from an elderly person, conspiracy and credit card theft, jail records showed.

They were being held today in lieu of $25,000 bail.