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Asheville -- April 11, 2022: Police in Asheville are hunting for a pair of suspects who stole a woman's purse after pepper-spraying her in the eyes. Around 3 p.m. Saturday, APD officers were alerted to a robbery report in the 40 block of S. Tunnel
Road. Officers were notified by the victim that two males in masks approached her and demanded that she hand over all of her belongings. The two males raced away on foot from the scene, but one of the witnesses took chase as the two purse thieves ran away. The purse was recovered by the Good Samaritan and returned to the victim.
The injured person was taken to Mission Hospital for treatment.
Unfortunately, before police arrived, the individual who had recovered the purse had fled the scene.
Officers were able to discover that James Franklin Hairr of Lincolnton, NC, was one of the thieves as the investigation progressed. He faces charges of Assault on a Female and Robbery under the Influence of a Controlled Substance.
Officers are still looking for the second suspect as part of their investigation.
Officers are continuing their investigation as they attempt to identify the second suspect.
If you would like to anonymously share information about Hairr’s location or have more information about this case, you can text TIP2APD to 847411, or use the TIP2APD smartphone app. You can also share information by calling 828-252-1110.
*Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.
Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington
