Fountain Valley man pleads not guilty to felony robbery, elder abuse in 3 jewelry snatchings

A Fountain Valley man who allegedly snatched jewelry from the necks of at least three elderly victims in late May, injuring them in the process, on Monday pleaded not guilty to felony counts of second-degree robbery and elder abuse.

Larry Tripp, 56, was arrested Thursday after officers arrived at his Santa Rosalia Street residence with a search warrant in hand after conducting a brief surveillance. The suspect attempted to flee, jumping over the fences of several nearby backyards, but was captured and arrested, according to a release issued Tuesday by the Fountain Valley Police Department.

Tripp’s arrest stems from three robberies that took place May 27 and 28 outside businesses in the city of Fountain Valley, FVPD spokesman Sgt. Donald Farmer confirmed Tuesday.

The first incident, which occurred outside of a Tuesday Morning retail store at 17120 Magnolia St. shortly after 11:45 a.m., involved an 86-year-old victim. In a second robbery 12 minutes later, Tripp reportedly snatched a necklace from a 68-year-old victim outside a Mimi’s Jewelry store at 18951 Brookhurst St.

A third incident took place the following day, shortly before 10 a.m., outside a Ralphs grocery store at 18405 Brookhurst, where Tripp allegedly robbed a 72-year-old woman of her necklace.

Police said some of the victims sustained minor injuries as a result of the encounters, primarily abrasions and redness where the necklaces had been ripped from their necks. Officers recovered several items from Tripp’s residence following the arrest, according to Farmer.

Although Tripp allegedly confessed to the crimes in an interview with police, appearing in a Santa Ana courtroom Monday, he pleaded not guilty to both felony counts, court records indicate.

Tripp is currently being held in Orange County’s Theo Lacy Facility on $150,000 bail and is scheduled to appear before a judge in Orange County Municipal Court on June 21, court records indicate.

Any additional victims are encouraged to contact Det. Sergio Rodriguez at (714) 593-4461.

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