By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police located and arrested a man who knocked a woman to the ground and took her purse Sunday afternoon.
Christopher Michael Hale, 26, is charged with a felony count of strong armed robbery. Police also learned that Hale had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Hale is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $30,000.
Just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the parking lot on the east side of the Mesilla Valley Mall after witnesses saw Hale wrestle the purse away from the 51-year-old victim. Witnesses gave police a good description of the suspect and of the vehicle he left in.
Just a few minutes later officers located the vehicle. Hale was arrested and the woman's purse was recovered.
The woman was not physically injured during the incident.