Man arrested after snatching woman’s purse in Palm Springs

A 29 year old man from Indio was arrested Tuesday night in Palm Springs after violently stealing a woman’s purse and dragging her for several feet.

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, the woman called 911 from a witnesses phone around 8:38 p.m. to report the thief. She told officers the man was Hispanic and she last saw him running toward the Spa Resort Casino.

Police began searching around the casino and gave the suspect’s description to casino security. Officers began questioning 29-year-old Edward Martinez of Indio, who matched the suspects description.

According to the release, Martinez admitted stealing the woman’s purse and told officers where he ditched her belongings. He was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on robbery charges.

His bail hasn’t been determined yet.

The victim was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center for minor injuries she sustained when the suspect dragged her for several feet.