Costa Mesa Police nab transient accused of robbing 74-year-old woman

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Costa Mesa Police arrested a 24-year-old transient who is accused of a strong-arm robbery against a 74-year-old woman who had just withdrawn money from the ATM machine outside of Bank of America at 2701 Harbor Boulevard.

Police said Simon Yousif grabbed the woman’s wallet and during the ensuing struggle to retain her wallet, the victim fell to the ground and sustained a broken hip.

Per witnesses, the suspect fled east across Harbor Boulevard and a description of the suspect was broadcast to responding police officers.

Officers searched a nearby apartment complex at 2700 Peterson Place and spoke with bystanders standing outside. Those bystanders alerted the officers that they saw a suspicious male running east through the apartment complex toward Orange Coast College.

Officers responded and saw a male, later identified as Yousif, attempting to hide behind a tree on the south side of Adams Avenue west of Pinecreek Drive.

The male attempted to flee from officers and was subsequently detained. The victim’s property, including cash, government identification, and social security card, was located in the suspect’s possession.

Officers were unable to locate the victim’s wallet or debit card.

The suspect was identified by a witness and placed under arrest for strong-arm robbery. The victim was taken to a local area hospital for treatment.

Yousif was later taken to the Orange County Jail on $50,000 bail.