Burlington Police Department

Media Information Sheet

Date/Time:  July 17, 2007  2245 hours

Incident:  Common Law Robbery, Assault on Female, Felony Larceny

Location:  Wal-Mart, Graham-Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC

Contact:  Major Tim Flack, Police Administration

Phone:  336-229-3540

Description:

 
On Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 2245 hours, the victim Ms. Peggy McCarthy Forbs, W/F, 78 years old, was walking out of the Wal-Mart Store located on Graham-Hopedale Road with a friend. The suspect approached Ms. Forbes from the rear as she was nearing her vehicle and grabbed her pocketbook that was hung on her right shoulder. Ms. Forbes did attempt to hold on to her pocketbook and ward off her attacker. The suspect violently jerked the pocketbook strap pulling Ms. Forbs to the ground.  The suspect then fled the parking lot on foot traveling North, running across N. Mebane Street toward N. Church Street. Concerned citizens shopping at the Wal-Mart at the time did attempt to pursue the suspect in their vehicle. 

Burlington Police units arrived on scene and engaged the suspect in a foot chase in a wooded area directly behind the Movie Gallery, which is located on N. Church Street. Officers quickly responded to the area and the suspect was apprehended following the foot pursuit. 

The victim suffered injuries to her right arm and wrist with bruising and a contusion to the right side of her head. The victim was treated and released from the Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington.

The suspect is described as Harvey Lyle Flinchom, W/M/26, DOB 01.12.1981 of 408 S. Saint John St., Burlington, N.C. The suspect is in the Alamance County Jail under a $40,000.00 secure bond.