Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

From Oklahoma City’s ChannelOklahoma.com of February 15, 2005

Would-Be Purse Thief Attacks Oklahoma City Woman

Woman's Daughter Holds Suspect At Gunpoint Until Officers Arrive

A man who is accused of following an Oklahoma City woman from a grocery store and attempting to steal her purse was arrested Tuesday.

Roger Campbell, who gave the name "Roderick Starr" to detectives, was arrested on burglary and assault charges. Police said he followed Barbara Geselle to her home near Southeast 61st Street and Voorhees Road, then opened her car door and took her purse.

Eyewitness News 5's Terri Watkins spoke to Geselle about the attempted theft. Geselle said that she was puzzled when the man continued to follow her car.

"I didn't know he was here until I drove in the garage and he was following me," Geselle said. "He was alongside the car -- and the door was closed, naturally -- and the car was going ... I didn't have it in park or anything."

Geselle said Campbell opened her door, yanked her purse away from her chest and took off running.

"It was one big jerk, then the strap came loose ... and he got the purse," Geselle said.

Geselle's daughter, Teresa, happened to be at the home at the time of the attack. She and a neighbor chased Campbell down and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Authorities said Campbell faces several felony charges related to the attack in addition to other unrelated charges.

This incident appeared here earlier, but this subsequent account is so revealing, as is the 911 tape, that we include this newer account.
I strongly urge you to listen to the tape. The headline should read
"911 Call Reveals Woman's Struggle With Police Dispatcher."

From Oklahoma City’s ChannelOklahoma.com of February 17, 2005

911 Call Reveals Woman's Struggle With Purse Thief

Woman Held Suspect At Gunpoint Until Police Arrived

Oklahoma City police released a 911 recording Thursday that reveals a dramatic struggle following an attempted purse-snatching in south Oklahoma City.

Barbara Gesell, 83, had just pulled into her garage when a man ran inside her garage and grabbed her purse, which has hanging across her shoulder. A suspect, Robert Campbell, was arrested shortly afterward on suspicion of attempted robbery.

Police said the story might have ended differently if Gesell's daughter, Theresa Gesell, had not taken action.
According to police, Theresa Gesell ran behind Campbell and tried to catch him when he ran from the scene. While she was chasing the suspect, she called 911.

"A man has attacked us in our house, and we are fighting him in the yard," Theresa Gesell said to the 911 dispatcher.
As the struggle moved down the street, a neighbor -- whom Theresa Gesell identified as "Hershall" -- stopped to help. Theresa then grabbed her .45-caliber pistol and continued running after Campbell -- despite the dispatcher's plea for her to drop the handgun.

"I am going to go get my .45 ... you all are too slow," she said.

As the call continues, the dispatcher asks Theresa to get rid of the weapon. However, after the suspect tried to escape along a creek bed, Theresa and Hershall used the pistol to make sure he didn't leave.

"You can go put that gun up now," the dispatcher said.

"No sir," Theresa replied. "We have the gun pointed at him ... he must have been a city fellow because he didn't know anything about the woods."

Seconds later, police arrived and arrested Campbell. With Hershall's help, the Gesells retrieved Barbara's purse.

Campbell is currently housed in the Oklahoma County Jail. He is expected to be charged with assault and attempted robbery.