Police Department

Convicted Felon Steals Purse from Elderly Woman

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 12:48 p.m.

A convicted felon victimizes an octogenarian while she was loading groceries into her car.

On July 7, 2020, a little after 6 p.m., SPD Officers were sent to 1800 W. 3^rd Avenue to a report of a purse snatching. Officers arrived on scene to find the suspect, Steven C. Puckett (53), being detained by store security across the street from the business.

An 85 years old female had been shopping at the location and was loading her purchases from the shopping cart into her car. While doing so, someone took her shopping cart, which contained her purse, and pushed it into the store.

The victim notified a store employee and they immediately reviewed the store’s video surveillance cameras. The footage showed Puckett take the victim’s cart from the front of the store and push it inside the business. Puckett continued to the back of the store, emptied the contents of the purse and put it all in his pockets. Puckett hid the victim’s empty purse in the restroom.

Security tried to stop Puckett as he left the store. Puckett was immediately confrontational, refused to comply and refused to stop. Security detained Puckett and recovered numerous items belonging to the victim.

Officers arrested Puckett and returned the stolen property, 11 credit cards, cash, a wallet and several miscellaneous items, to the victim. 

Puckett, a convicted felon, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for 11 counts of Theft 2^nd Degree and 1 count of Theft 3^rd Degree.

Theft in the second degree covers the theft of an access device (credit cards) which is a class C felony under the Revised Code of Washington 9A.56.040.

#2020-20115646

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