WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From White Plains Department of Public Safety. June 12, 2006: Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Daniel Jackson reported to WPCNR today that White Plains Police have arrested and charged Desmond Horton, 21 of 11 Fischer Avenue, White Plains,  where he was staying with his girl friend and charged Mr. Horton in the commission of six crimes. Commissioner Jackson also reports Mr. Horton is wanted in Virginia on two warrants, as well. He has been in the area for a year or two.

Mr. Horton is accused of committing three purse-snatchings during lunchtime hours and on Thursday evening,  Jackson said, the police received a report of a robbery "which appeared to be at gunpoint on Grand Street of a male Hispanic, and we took that report, and on Friday night we put on a special patrol specifically because of that (Thursday) incident. We had two issues, here  one was the daytime purse-snatches, and having this robbery we were watching the Post Road corridor because of this robbery, supposedly at gunpoint, which was disturbing to us."

Police efforts paid off just before midnight Friday night. "Our officer observed a subject engaging in a fight with a male Hispanic. As it turned out this was our guy. He was attempting to do another robbery. The officer grabbed him Friday night, and he was identified by the victim in Friday night's robbery, and  the victim and the witness in Thursday night's robbery. Here's the key issue, the victim from Thursday night's robbery told us the story of one his friends or relatives who had also been a victim of this guy. We wound up charging this guy (Horton) with three robberies which happened to be at gunpoint. It turns out the gun was a BB gun, as well as the three purse snatches."

Jackson said the alleged crimes were not gang-related. Mr. Horton is charged with three counts of Robbery in the First Degree, a B Felony. In each of the three robberies, Mr. Horton is accused of getting into a fight with the victims and in one case, was reported to have pistol-whipped the victim. Mr. Horton was described by Commissioner Jackson as a person with "a propensity for violence."

Jackson asked persons who perhaps were victimized by Mr. Horton, and who have not reported it for whatever reason to call the Communications Department. Contact 422-6111.