Full Notification

Police Charge Man with Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Assault in Purse Snatching Attack


Jackson police have arrested and charged Tonnie Jelks, 40, of Jackson, with attempted aggravated robbery of a woman and assault on the woman’s daughter in a Sunday night purse snatching attack.

Around 9 p.m., a Jackson woman was leaving CVS at 1405 N. Highland Avenue when she was attacked on the parking lot by an unidentified man. The man, later identified by police as Jelks, attempted to grab the woman’s purse. The woman held on to her purse and a struggle ensued.

Jelks repeatedly punched the woman, and he struck the woman’s minor daughter who tried to help her mother during the attack. As a result of the struggle, the woman suffered a broken hand and a serious head injury, which caused her to be admitted into Jackson-Madison Country General Hospital.

Officers quickly responded to the area of the robbery and detained Jelks on W. Forrest Avenue. Further investigation by police linked Jelks to the robbery.

Jelks is scheduled for a video arraignment at 8 a.m. Tuesday in Jackson City Court.