Antioch and Pittsburg Police Nab Serial Purse Snatcher

The Pittsburg Police Department announced the arrest of a Masaiyah Sharp in connection with several strong-arm purse snatch robberies in the City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg.

Police said during the month of January and February 2022, Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police investigated a series of strongarm purse snatch robberies of numerous elderly women in the community.

The suspect was preying on unsuspecting females who were shopping in the Century Plaza Area, and numerous shopping centers in Antioch. In two of the cases, the victims were 84 and 83 years old; one of which was knocked to the ground and injured during the struggle. In another, a victim’s 5-year-old daughter was present with her during the robbery, and has since suffered emotional trauma as a result of the incident.

Through a joint investigating, detectives from both departments developed several leads including developing a similar suspect description.

On February 20, Antioch Police quickly responded to an in-progress purse snatching, located the suspect nearby and arrested him. Detectives took over the case from patrol and was able to link the suspect, Masaiyah Sharp (Antioch resident), to seven strong arm robberies in Pittsburg and Antioch.

The case was later presented to the District Attorney’s Office, who filed (7) counts of robbery, (2) counts of elder abuse, and (1) count of child abuse against Masaiyah.

Note – the Antioch Police Department confirmed the arrest which was posted on our website on February 21 (More info)

DATE:  02/20/22 TIME: 12:59 pm

ARRESTEE(S): Masaiyah Sharp (18)

The victim was walking on the 2300 block of Sequoia Dr when Sharp approached her and forcibly took her purse from her and ran through the trail behind Sequoia Dr. Officers circulated the area and located Sharp. Sharp was transported to MD