for robbery, purse-snatcher suspect

By Ray Holley

The Selma Times-Journal

As two elderly women were exiting there vehicles on Feb. 15, to enter the doctor’s office, a man approached them and swiped their purses.

Less than a week later, on Feb. 21, a prominent local businessman went into the Big M convenience store to gas up. After filling up, he went inside to pay, leaving his wallet on the seat in his car. A man spots the wallet and grab-bed it, which held $2,000 in cash. The businessman raced out of the store and confronted the thief. According to officials, they engaged in a brief scuffle, the robber got away, but not before the victim could get a good look at him.

The suspect in both crimes, Eric Todd, was arrested on that same Tuesday following the robbery of the man at the convenience store. The three victims identified Todd as the perpetrator, said John Oxford, assistant district attorney. His bond for all the charges has been set at $100,000.

Todd may face additional charges for other related crimes, according to Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin.

Todd is your typical drug abuser who went on a crime spree, noted Martin. Once captured, he confessed and detectives recovered the victim’s wallet from a residence on Lauderdale St. Todd then told detectives he used the money to buy drugs and solicit prostitution.

The preliminary hearing for Todd’s case is set for March 16, said Oxford.

Of the case, District Attorney Michael Jackson said, &8220;We’re going to make sure that these criminals who steal from old ladies get shipped off to prison.&8221;

Buford Ford, who was charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree domestic violence, and first-degree unlawful imprisonment after holding his wife hostage in their home for nearly three hours Wednesday night had his hearing on Thursday. Bond for him was also set at $100,000.