Duo Accused Of Stealing Elderly Woman's Wallet Arrested

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Two women accused of stealing a wallet from an elderly woman at a Walnut Creek supermarket have been arrested, according to police. Both women are from Stockton — 22-year-old Markkisha Anthnisha Mangum and 22-year-old Martavia Latrice Blount. They face a long list of charges including elder abuse. One has already bailed out of jail.

The Sept. 9 theft from the woman's purse was caught on video and distributed by the Walnut Creek Police Department in an effort to identify the women. Patch published the video, and it was widely distributed by area news outlets, sparking outrage. Walnut Creek police report on social media that "numerous citizens contacted the Walnut Creek Police Department with information regarding the identity of the suspects."

The women were arrested in Stockton last Friday, Sept. 20, with help from the Stockton Police Department and the San Joaquin County Probation Department.

Both women were booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.

Mangum faces the following charges:

• felony PC 530.5(C)(2)- Identity theft with prior conviction
• misdemeanor PC 368(d)- Financial Elder Abuse
• misdemeanor PC 484(g)(b)- Credit Card Fraud
• misdemeanor PC 496(a)- Possession of Stolen Property
• misdemeanor PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy

Blount aces the following charges:

• misdemeanor PC 530.5- Identity theft
• misdemeanor, PC 368(d)- Financial Elder Abuse
• misdemeanor PC 484(g)(b)- Credit Card Fraud
• misdemeanor PC 496(a)- Possession of Stolen Property
• misdemeanor PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy
• outstanding warrant for PC 211- Robbery with a bail of $25,000

Blount’s bail on the new charges was set at $22,500. Mangum’s bail was set at $82,500. She posted bail on Sept. 21.

If you have information about this investigation or either suspect in this case, contact Walnut Creek Police Detective Sergeant Slater at 925-256-3851 or slater@walnutcreekpd.com.

As for the elderly woman, many offers were made to replace the stolen money. Her response: please donate to Meals-on-Wheels.