Witness Helps Police Locate, Arrest Robbery Suspect

A Hemet man was arrested on charges of strong arm robbery and violation of parole after a witness helped police identify and locate the suspect, authorities said today.

At 6:18 p.m. on Thursday, Hemet Police received a call from the witness to a robbery that had just occurred in the 100 block of N. San Jacinto Street. According to police, the witness followed the suspect at a distance and provided dispatch with a description of the suspect, updating them on the suspect’s movements.

Officers located and detained the suspect in the 1900 block of E. Florida Avenue. Jesse Gibson, 24, was taken into custody at that time.

Investigation revealed that the victim was walking along Florida Avenue near San Jacinto Street and was approached by the suspect. The suspect took property out of the victim’s hands and as the victim turned to run away, the suspect removed some property from the backpack the victim was wearing. The suspect fled the area on foot, eastbound on Florida Avenue, while the witness followed him.

The suspect was positively identified by the victim and was in possession of some of the victim’s property when he was arrested. No weapons were used during this crime and the victim was not injured.