Man arrested after stealing woman's purse, dragging her 300 feet in car

A man who allegedly stole a woman's purse and ran over her with a car Wednesday afternoon in San Jose's Graystone neighborhood has been arrested, a police spokesman said Friday.

Timothy Williams, 41, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, police Officer Albert Morales said.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, a 50-year-old woman went back to her car after running errands in the area of Camden Avenue and Tunbridge Way, where Williams allegedly stole her purse, according to Morales.

Williams started to leave the scene in another car and the woman tried to get her purse back by reaching into the suspect driver's window, Morales said.

The suspect allegedly dragged the woman 300 feet while he drove and then ran over her before he fled, according to Morales.

The woman suffered serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening, Morales said.

Neighbors who witnessed the incident spoke with investigators, who were able to identify the suspect as Williams, according to Morales.

"Having a strong, engaged neighborhood is one of the best ways to deter crime and keep those who would prey on others at bay," police Sgt. Larry Day said in a statement.

Day also thanked the neighbors for rendering aiding to the victim after she was dragged.

The 41-year-old was arrested around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Morales said.

He is being held at the Santa Clara County Main Jail on $75,000 bail, according to jail records.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call San Jose police detectives Varela or Zanotto at (408) 277-4166. Anonymous tips can be made to Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408) 947-7867.