Thornton Man Arrested for Purse Robbery

Russell Gonzales

Last Monday, April 30th, a Thornton man was arrested by Brighton Police for robbing the purse of a Commerce City woman at the local King Soopers. Just after 8:00 p.m. the 32 year old woman was standing in line in the grocery store at 4th and Bromley Lane. The man grabbed her purse, and when she wouldn’t let go he began to drag her across the front of the store towards the exit. When employees and customers of the store noticed the commotion the male let the woman go and ran from the store. The woman received an injury to her face during the attack.


About 10 minutes later Officers Rick Stolte and Shane Bromley saw a male matching the description of the robber near the Wendy’s restaurant in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The male, 32 year old Russell Gonzales of E. 90th Place in Thornton had outstanding warrants and was arrested. Later, the investigating officer, Matt McMillian was able to identify Gonzales as the male suspected of the alleged purse robbery by viewing video surveillance of the incident.

Gonzales was held and on Thursday he was charged with Aggravated Robbery and Assault in the Third Degree by the Adams County District Attorney. Aggravated Robbery is a class 3 felony punishable by up to 16 years in prison.