Woman Fights Alleged Purse Snatcher, Holds Him Until Police Arrive

A man was arrested in Burbank today after allegedly trying to steal a purse from a young woman who knocked him to the ground and held him for officers, police said.

The purse-snatching attempt occurred about 11:40 a.m. in the 300 block of East Olive Avenue, said Burbank police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.

“Arriving officers found a 19-year-old female detaining a man at the scene,” Losacco said.

Manuel Martinez, 24, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, with bail set at $50,000, Losacco said.

“The woman reported that she was walking when the man ... approached her and tried to take her purse,” Losacco said. “The woman told officers she held onto her purse and punched the man two times, knocking him to the ground.”

The woman, whose name was not released, was uninjured.

Martinez suffered a bruise to his chin, Losacco said.

City News Service; Photo: www.flickr.com