3 Suspects Are Held in Purse-Snatch Try

Two men and a teenager, all from Oxnard, were arrested after they tried to steal a purse from a 39-year-old woman outside a Camarillo restaurant Tuesday night, sheriff’s authorities said.

Casey Laughman, 20, and Tracy Santiago, 18, were being held in County Jail on $50,000 bail each Wednesday morning.

The 16-year-old youth was being held in juvenile hall.

The incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. as three women were leaving Marie Callender’s on 185 E. Daily Drive.

Deputies say that Laughman and the 16-year-old approached the women, and the teen demanded the 39-year-old’s purse.

When she refused, Laughman apparently grabbed for the purse, authorities said.

A struggle ensued and the women pelted the two assailants with food they had been carrying and cried for help.

The pair got into a white Honda driven by Santiago, and all three fled, deputies said.

Witnesses provided a description of the would-be robbers and their vehicle.

The suspects were stopped without incident about 15 minutes later on the Ventura Freeway at Carmen Drive in Camarillo.

The woman whose purse was grabbed sustained minor injuries and told authorities she would seek medical treatment.

The investigation is being handled by the Sheriff’s Department’s major crimes bureau.