ATHENS, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A 79-year-old woman was the victim of a bold daylight robbery outside the Athens Post Office Tuesday afternoon, and investigators say the suspect didn’t stop there.
According to authorities, around 2:30 p.m., Judy Justina Brinkley Odell Collins approached the elderly woman, Donna Hamm, in the parking lot and struck up a conversation. As the two spoke, Collins allegedly yanked Hamm’s purse from her grasp while she was partially inside her vehicle. The purse contained a Samsung S22 cell phone and a beige wallet with personal items.
Collins reportedly fled the scene in a blue and silver 2002 Dodge Durango, which was later tied to her through DMV records. The vehicle is registered to Collins and Brian Brinkley.
Surveillance footage from Deli Mart, where Collins stopped shortly after the incident, shows her attempting to use the victim’s stolen bank card. She was captured on video wearing the same clothing described at the time of the robbery. Another attempted transaction was traced to the Marathon station on Stafford Drive in Princeton.
Authorities also reviewed Facebook photos that confirmed Collins’ identity and matched her to the suspect vehicle. While phone tracking efforts were unsuccessful, multiple witness statements and security footage helped investigators piece together the case.
Collins is facing multiple charges, including robbery, fraudulent use of a controlled access device, and theft. The investigation is ongoing.
