Prosecution Witness Statements
Kathy Russell, the victim:
I left the California Mutual Bank (CMB) ATM after withdrawing $250 at 7:30 PM on Thursday, May 10th. I put the cash in my wallet and placed my wallet into my black purse. Inside my wallet, I had my driver's license, credit cards, and the cash. As I walking to the car in the parking lot, I received a phone call and was rummaging through my purse to look for my keys. I was not looking up to notice a man was heading towards me. A man in a black ski mask yanked the purse out of my hands by the strap and runs away, heading south towards the end of the street. I was in total shock and started to yell for someone to catch the man who had stolen my purse.
By the light of the streetlamp, I managed to see that the thief had on a black pullover sweater, jeans, and sneakers. He was Caucasian and was of medium height and build. There was a bystander, who I later learned to be Ms. Gloria Mendoza, who also happened to be at the bank the same time I was. He was just getting out of his car and started running after the thief. I then called 911 and began describing the thief's characteristics as well as the location of the theft to the operator. By the time I had gotten off the phone, Ms. Mendoza had returned to the parking lot empty-handed. Later at the precinct, I was brought into a room to witness a lineup. Although I couldn't be certain, I was able to point out the suspect as Elliott Ott, due to his build and height.
I left the California Mutual Bank (CMB) ATM after withdrawing $250 at 7:30 PM on Thursday, May 10th. I put the cash in my wallet and placed my wallet into my black purse. Inside my wallet, I had my driver's license, credit cards, and the cash. As I walking to the car in the parking lot, I received a phone call and was rummaging through my purse to look for my keys. I was not looking up to notice a man was heading towards me. A man in a black ski mask yanked the purse out of my hands by the strap and runs away, heading south towards the end of the street. I was in total shock and started to yell for someone to catch the man who had stolen my purse.
By the light of the streetlamp, I managed to see that the thief had on a black pullover sweater, jeans, and sneakers. He was Caucasian and was of medium height and build. There was a bystander, who I later learned to be Ms. Gloria Mendoza, who also happened to be at the bank the same time I was. He was just getting out of his car and started running after the thief. I then called 911 and began describing the thief's characteristics as well as the location of the theft to the operator. By the time I had gotten off the phone, Ms. Mendoza had returned to the parking lot empty-handed. Later at the precinct, I was brought into a room to witness a lineup. Although I couldn't be certain, I was able to point out the suspect as Elliott Ott, due to his build and height.
Gloria Mendoza, the witness bystander:
I had just parked my car at California Mutual Bank (CMB) to withdraw some money from the ATM on Thursday, May 10th. I began to get out of my car around 7:30 PM when I noticed a man in a ski mask running towards a lady, who I later learned was Kathy Russell. I saw him grab her purse out of her hands, and Miss Russell started yelling, "Help me! Someone stole my purse!" So I immediately started to run after the thief.
The thief was running south towards the residential areas. I could tell that he was athletic and had a lot of training with long-distance running. Unfortunately, I could not keep up with the thief and I lost sight of him once he turned the corner down a dark alleyway. I headed back to the parking lot to the victim and found her on the phone with a 911 operator. Later when I went to the police station, I was asked to view a line-up. Though I only saw the back of the thief, I was able to identify the suspect as Elliott Ott due to his stature.
I had just parked my car at California Mutual Bank (CMB) to withdraw some money from the ATM on Thursday, May 10th. I began to get out of my car around 7:30 PM when I noticed a man in a ski mask running towards a lady, who I later learned was Kathy Russell. I saw him grab her purse out of her hands, and Miss Russell started yelling, "Help me! Someone stole my purse!" So I immediately started to run after the thief.
The thief was running south towards the residential areas. I could tell that he was athletic and had a lot of training with long-distance running. Unfortunately, I could not keep up with the thief and I lost sight of him once he turned the corner down a dark alleyway. I headed back to the parking lot to the victim and found her on the phone with a 911 operator. Later when I went to the police station, I was asked to view a line-up. Though I only saw the back of the thief, I was able to identify the suspect as Elliott Ott due to his stature.
Officer Riley Waverly, the arresting officer:
I have been a police officer for the Vanilla Sands Police Department for ten years and have investigated dozens of thefts over the years. The night of Thursday, May 10th, I responded to a 911 call about a woman whose purse had been stolen at the California Mutual Bank (CMB) ATM on Main and Manila Road. I was given a description of the criminal - male, six feet in height, athletic build, fast runner. I headed north on Main Street towards the bank. Around 7:45 PM, nearly three blocks away from CMB, I noticed a man coming out of an alley with a black purse matching the victim's descriptions. He was wearing a navy pullover, green Boston Celtics jacket, jeans, and sneakers.
I pulled the man over and confiscated the purse. The suspect, whose name I learned to be Elliott Ott, appeared very nervous when I started questioning him about how he got the purse and what he was doing in the area. He was unable to provide any answers. I looked through the purse and looked inside to find Kathy Russell's ID and the $250 she had withdrawn earlier. Later, the forensics team was able to lift Elliott Ott's fingerprints off the the purse's outside zippers and pockets but could not make out any definitive prints off the purse's strap.
I handcuffed Mr. Ott and took him to the police station for interrogation. This time, Mr. Ott had answers to my questions. He told me that he was coming from work and that he had found that black purse in the alley as he was heading home. After pressing Mr. Ott with more questions, he admitted that he had not been at work because he had recently been laid off. Instead, he claimed he had been at CK's Sports Bar, though he had no receipt for verification. I visited CK's Sports Bar later, but could not find any witnesses to validate Mr. Ott's statements.
I have been a police officer for the Vanilla Sands Police Department for ten years and have investigated dozens of thefts over the years. The night of Thursday, May 10th, I responded to a 911 call about a woman whose purse had been stolen at the California Mutual Bank (CMB) ATM on Main and Manila Road. I was given a description of the criminal - male, six feet in height, athletic build, fast runner. I headed north on Main Street towards the bank. Around 7:45 PM, nearly three blocks away from CMB, I noticed a man coming out of an alley with a black purse matching the victim's descriptions. He was wearing a navy pullover, green Boston Celtics jacket, jeans, and sneakers.
I pulled the man over and confiscated the purse. The suspect, whose name I learned to be Elliott Ott, appeared very nervous when I started questioning him about how he got the purse and what he was doing in the area. He was unable to provide any answers. I looked through the purse and looked inside to find Kathy Russell's ID and the $250 she had withdrawn earlier. Later, the forensics team was able to lift Elliott Ott's fingerprints off the the purse's outside zippers and pockets but could not make out any definitive prints off the purse's strap.
I handcuffed Mr. Ott and took him to the police station for interrogation. This time, Mr. Ott had answers to my questions. He told me that he was coming from work and that he had found that black purse in the alley as he was heading home. After pressing Mr. Ott with more questions, he admitted that he had not been at work because he had recently been laid off. Instead, he claimed he had been at CK's Sports Bar, though he had no receipt for verification. I visited CK's Sports Bar later, but could not find any witnesses to validate Mr. Ott's statements.
Jamie Martinez, Ott's college roommate:
I was Elliott's old college roommate and teammate. Elliott was the star of the track team and was faster than anyone I'd ever known. After college, he and I would go running together every day. We actually have been preparing for a marathon for four days now. Recently, during one of our training sessions, Elliott confided in me that he had been recently laid off from work for several months now and that he was behind on his bills. He seemed very depressed and desperate for some quick cash. I know that he had been caught up in some gambling problems before, but he told me that was all in the past, so I offered to lend him some money. While running together on the morning of Thursday, May 10th, however, Elliott replied that he "wanted to find a way of getting some easy money quick" and even brought up purse snatching as a joke.
At least, I thought it was a joke.
I was Elliott's old college roommate and teammate. Elliott was the star of the track team and was faster than anyone I'd ever known. After college, he and I would go running together every day. We actually have been preparing for a marathon for four days now. Recently, during one of our training sessions, Elliott confided in me that he had been recently laid off from work for several months now and that he was behind on his bills. He seemed very depressed and desperate for some quick cash. I know that he had been caught up in some gambling problems before, but he told me that was all in the past, so I offered to lend him some money. While running together on the morning of Thursday, May 10th, however, Elliott replied that he "wanted to find a way of getting some easy money quick" and even brought up purse snatching as a joke.
At least, I thought it was a joke.
Taylor Tanks-Shapiro, bartender at CK's Sports Bar:
I have been a bartender at CK's Sports Bar for three years and have become very good friends with all the regulars. Elliott is one of my favorite regulars and I have gotten to know him very well as a close friend. He is a devout Celtics fan and in all my time at CK's, has never missed a game. He always sits in the same place at the bar, watches the same TV, and orders the same drink.
The night of Thursday, May 10th, I worked from 6:30 PM to midnight. I did not see Elliott at the bar. I was actually very surprised that he would miss such an important game. Even though the bar was packed that night, I am sure I would have remembered Elliott being there. Lately, he has been coming here more often to confide in me about his personal life, complaining about his clingy girlfriend and finances, though he always makes sure to leave a tip. The poor guy has been looking for a new job for months. I sympathize for him because he seems like a good guy in a bad situation.
I have been a bartender at CK's Sports Bar for three years and have become very good friends with all the regulars. Elliott is one of my favorite regulars and I have gotten to know him very well as a close friend. He is a devout Celtics fan and in all my time at CK's, has never missed a game. He always sits in the same place at the bar, watches the same TV, and orders the same drink.
The night of Thursday, May 10th, I worked from 6:30 PM to midnight. I did not see Elliott at the bar. I was actually very surprised that he would miss such an important game. Even though the bar was packed that night, I am sure I would have remembered Elliott being there. Lately, he has been coming here more often to confide in me about his personal life, complaining about his clingy girlfriend and finances, though he always makes sure to leave a tip. The poor guy has been looking for a new job for months. I sympathize for him because he seems like a good guy in a bad situation.