Photo: Joseph Homer Modrall
MARTELL – A pair of Modralls in Martell tried to snatch a purse on Monday afternoon. The 2:44 p.m. incident occurred at the Save Mart grocery store. 34-year-old Joseph Homer Modrall went into the store and snatched a woman’s purse out of a shopping cart.
69-year-old Gary Wayne Modrall waited outside. Joseph departed with the purse, with concerned citizens in tow. The oress release states that “a brief scuffle ensued.”
Gary Modrall
Some of the bystanders tried to grab the purse back. Then Joseph declared he had a gun, which slowed down the retrieval effort.
The duo fled in their silver Jeep Cherokee, “striking one of the good Samaritans” in the process.
It wasn’t over, however. Some of the witnesses provided “a fantastic description of the suspects and their vehicle.”
With this information in hand, deputies located the fleeing Jeep on Ridge Road. Deputies tried to stop the vehicle but it fled away quickly.
As Gary Modrall drove, he stopped long enough for Joseph to get out. Deputies immediately arrested Joseph.
Gary Modrall continued driving on Highway 88 at a high rate of speed. The chase continued into San Joaquin County and
out of gas
ended when he ran out of gas.
The Sacramento pair face various charges.
For his part, Joseph Modrall’s charges are robbery, criminal threats, elder abuse/theft and violation of parole.
Gary Modrall’s charges are assault with a deadly weapon and evading law enforcement in a vehicle.
The stolen items came back to its rightful owner.
“In a community that looks out for each other, crime doesn’t pay. While the ACSO appreciates the efforts of all of our good Samaritans, we strongly recommend that when possible, be an excellent witness, but leave the apprehension of criminals to us. A purse can always be replaced, our wonderful citizens can’t.”
