Oakland Man Arrested In Brutal Concord Purse Snatching: Police

CONCORD, CA – The suspect in a Concord purse snatching so brutal it left a 93-year-old woman hospitalized has been apprehended, Concord police said Thursday. Otto Halafihi, 29, of Oakland turned himself in Wednesday night at a police substation some 75 miles southeast of Concord, where he was taken into custody by Concord detectives, police Cpl. Summer Galer said in a news release.

Concord police released photos of the suspect and his vehicle earlier this week and it was through tips and leads from the community that detectives were able to identify Halafihi as the suspect, Galer said.

"These investigative leads lead our detectives to Halafihi's location in Patterson, CA," Galer said.

Halafihi is accused of robbing two women ages 93 and 64 of their purses at about 4 p.m. Friday, May 18 at Bank of America on Sun Valley Boulevard. Police allege Halafihi knocked the 93-year-old to the ground, causing her to suffer significant injuries.

Halafihi turned himself in at about 9 p.m. Wednesday and was brought back to Contra Costa County, where he is being charged on suspicion of robbery and elder abuse, the corporal said.

As of Thursday, Galer said, the elderly victim remained hospitalized for the injuries she suffered in the incident.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Suspect Snatched Purse From, Injured Woman, 93: Concord Police

Photos courtesy Concord Police Department