Man arrested for stealing from women, admits they were easy targets

A Fresno man who targeted women to steal from them was arrested in southeast Fresno on Friday and admitted women were easy targets, Sgt. Jerardo Chamalbide said.

Alexander Perales, 41, allegedly snatched a gold necklace off a woman’s neck Aug. 7 at a southeast Fresno FoodsCo and ripped a necklace off another woman’s neck in the area of Kings Canyon and Recreation avenues on Friday.

Perales, a Bulldog gang member was arrested when officers pulled him over for driving with an expired vehicle registration in the area of El Monte Way and Chestnut Avenue.

When one victim was brought over to identify Perales, Chamalbide said she identified him as the man who stole her chain. Chamalbide said in both cases, the victims reported the suspect fleeing in a green Chevy Blazer.

Perales was searched and stripped of the stolen property from both incidents, Chamalbide said.

Chamalbide said Perales admitted to preying on women because they were easy targets and he needed money to sustain an admitted drug habit.

Perales was booked into the Fresno County Jail for theft.

This story was originally published August 13, 2016 at 11:12 PM with the headline "Man arrested for stealing from women, admits they were easy targets."