EPPD: Man assaulted and robbed elderly lady outside church in Central El Paso

Police officers arrested a man accused of stealing a woman’s purse moments after he asked her for a dollar for gas.

Luis Arena, 25, is charged with Aggravated Robbery.

Police said, that on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, Arena approached a 74-year-old woman walking out of All Saints Catholic Church at 1415 Dakota.

Arena reportedly asked the woman if she could spare a dollar for gas and she him money, police said. Arenas continued to follow the victim, grabbed her purse, pulled her to the ground and ran away with her belongings, police said.

Investigators identified Arenas as the individual responsible for the robbery. Police arrested Arenas on Thursday, December the 14, 2017.

Police said Arenas had the victim’s cell phone in his possession when he was placed under arrest. Tactical Investigators were able to recover all of the victim’s property.

Arenas was booked into the El Paso County Jail on bonds totaling $25,000.