By Lisa Trigg
TERRE HAUTE — A Terre Haute man accused of being the getaway driver in a Jan. 13 purse-snatching appeared in court Monday following his Friday arrest.
Ernest P. Barrientez Jr., 27, faces a class-C felony charge of robbery for his alleged involvement in the mugging of an 82-year-old woman in the parking lot of a Terre Haute supermarket.
A warrant was issued for his arrest last week after police received tips pointing to Barrientez as the suspect in the purse-snatching. Surveillance cameras at the store captured the crime, and witnesses gave police a description of the getaway vehicle.
After the incident, the victim’s purse was found near Hunt Road and Indiana 42. Her wallet was found in the area of 23rd and Locust streets.
On Monday, Judge David Bolk advised Barrientez that if convicted of the class-C felony, he faces a prison sentence of two to eight years in jail. Barrientez is being held in the Vigo County jail on bail of $60,000 with no 10 percent allowed. He told the judge he plans to hire his own attorney. His next court date is Feb. 16.
Last week, Terre Haute Police arrested John Edward Jenkins, 25, as the other suspect in the mugging of the elderly woman. He also faces a class-C felony robbery charge.
Jenkins also is being held on $60,000 bail. His next court date in the robbery case is Thursday.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
