Joseph Anthony Whitley
Joseph Anthony Whitley
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A man who allegedly stole a purse from an elderly woman earlier this week was arrested Thursday. His alleged accomplice, Joseph Anthony Whitley, 27, of Texarkana, Ark., has now been identified by authorities.

Texarkana, Texas Police are actively seeking Whitley, who is wanted for aggravated robbery.

The robbery occurred Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Albertson’s Grocery Store in the 2300 block of Richmond Road.
Officer Corey Motley stopped a maroon Ford Mustang yesterday on New Boston Road after he recognized it as matching the description of the vehicle involved in the robbery on Tuesday. The driver, Charles Sechrist, 28, of Texarkana, Texas, had outstanding warrants and was arrested. Evidence found inside vehicle tied Sechrist to the robbery, according to police.
Secrist is being held at the Bi-State Jail on a $100,000 bond for Aggravated Robbery. An arrest warrant for Aggravated Robbery has been issued for Whitley.
On Tuesday, a 79-year-old woman was returning to her vehicle after leaving a Texarkana grocery store. As she got to her vehicle, she was allegedly approached by Whitley who grabbed her purse from her arm.  She fell to the ground as her purse was reportedly pulled away from her. Whitley then allegedly ran to a waiting mid-1990s maroon Ford Mustang that was allegedly being driven by Sechrist.
The vehicle was last seen headed toward Mall Drive at a high rate of speed. The victim was transported to Christus St. Michael Hospital by LifeNet for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the robbery.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Whitley is asked to call the Texarkana Police Department at 903-798-3116 or CrimeStoppers at 903-794-STOP.

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