2 Men Arrested in Ride-By Purse Thefts

Los Angeles police were gathering evidence Wednesday from more than 50 ride-by purse snatchings in the San Fernando Valley since September that were believed to have been the work of two men arrested this week, authorities said.

Police said they believe the arrests of Ronald Clark, 24, and Curtis Brooks, 26, both of Reseda, brought to an end a string of similar incidents in which women were robbed while walking through shopping center parking lots, primarily in the West Valley.

The suspects were arrested Monday night following three days of surveillance by a team of detectives in cars and on motorcycles, said Sgt. Paul Mattson. The surveillance was begun after an off-duty police officer familiar with the string of purse snatchings by two men on a motorcycle spotted them Friday in the West Valley and followed them to their apartment in Reseda.

Mattson said that on Monday evening the two men went out on the motorcycle and rode through the parking lots of several shopping areas in the Valley. About 6 p.m. they rode up behind a woman in Lucky Market parking lot in the 22800 block of Victory Boulevard and stole her purse. She was not hurt.

The suspects were followed to their apartment and arrested without incident, Mattson said.