Police: Would-be purse snatcher Ashleigh Hamm arrested

KSDK -- Fairview Heights police arrested a woman they believe responsible for an attempted purse snatching late last month at an area Target store.

According to Sgt. Stephen R. Evans, a spokesman for the Fairview Heights Police Department, the incident took place February 28 around 8:20 p.m., at the Target located in the 4700 North Illinois Street.

The victim, a 65-year-old woman, told investigators she was approached by the purse snatching suspect while in the restroom. As the victim left the restroom, the suspect grabbed her purse and attempted to run off. Following a brief struggle, the victim kept hold of her purse and the suspect ran off. The victim fell to the floor and suffered minor injuries.

The information was relayed to the public on March 4 and the female suspect and a male associate were quickly identified. The pair was apprehended and the case was presented to the St. Clair County State's Attorney's office on March 10.

The woman, 20-year-old Ashleigh L. Hamm of Shiloh, Illinois, was charged with attempted robbery. She remains in the St. Clair County Jail on $75,000 bond. Her male associated was not charged.