(Fort Myers, FL: February 17, 2012) - On Thursday, February 16, 2012 the Fort Myers Police Department arrested Brandt Diaz (d.o.b. 10-14-85 of Fort Myers) and Gregory Brown (d.o.b. 12-23-66 of Fort Myers) for a purse snatching. Late January police responded to 3783 Seago Lane in reference to a robbery. The female receptionist at the business told police an unknown male entered the office and after a brief conversation grabbed her purse from a chair. A struggle ensued. The suspect threatened the victim, she let go of the purse and he fled the scene. The suspect ran to a car being driven by another person.
Shortly after the crime, the victim’s credit card was used at two local stores. Detectives Mike Walsh and John Price began working the case. Detective Walsh obtained surveillance video of a male and female using the card. Detective Walsh released still images within the FMPD in the hopes that an officer would be able to identify the suspects. Officers Russell Southwick and Dawn Olson assisted in the investigation and through contacts identified the female in the video.
After locating the female, she claimed she had no idea the credit card was stolen until after the fact. She provided Detectives Walsh and Price with nicknames of the people involved in the crime. The detectives were then able to identify the suspects through prior professional encounters. With assistance from Sergeant Arturo Gonzalez police were able to track and locate the suspects. Police arrested Brown and Diaz for Robbery by Sudden Snatching. Diaz snatched the purse and Brown drove the car.