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Elderly targeted in strong-arm robberies

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Terrill Keith Clem was found hiding in the bushes about a block away from where a purse snatching occurred. Authorities believe Clem and his partner have been robbing elderly victims in Palmdale. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
Terrill Keith Clem was found hiding in the bushes about a block away from where a purse snatching occurred on Wednesdy. Authorities believe Clem and his partner have been robbing elderly victims in Palmdale. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

PALMDALE – Eighteen-year-old Palmdale resident Terrill Keith Clem was jailed Wednesday, after he confessed to committing two strong-arm robberies this week. His partner is still at large, and authorities believe the second suspect is linked to even more robberies targeting elderly victims.

The following is the press release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station:

On Wednesday, July 24, at approximately 9:15 a.m., a robbery occurred in the 1600 Block of East Avenue R-3, in the City of Palmdale. The victim, a 64-year-old male Hispanic, was approached by 18-year-old Palmdale resident Terrill Keith Clem, while standing in his driveway preparing to take his wife to the doctor.

The victim was holding his wife’s purse when Clem grabbed the purse from his hands and took off running. The victim followed Clem a short distance but lost him. The victim called the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station and deputies responded immediately. After a thorough search of the area, Clem was found hiding in the bushes approximately one block away from where the incident occurred. The victim’s purse and contents were recovered.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, July 22nd, at approximately 10:00 a.m., another robbery had been reported. The victim, a 93-year-old white male, was washing his truck in his driveway in the 37700 Block of Rudall Avenue, when he was approached by two suspects.

He was subsequently assaulted by the suspects and his wallet was taken. He suffered a cut to his chin as well as injuries to his rib area.

During the investigation of the July 24th robbery, it appeared suspect Clem matched the description of one of the suspects in the robbery of the 93-year-old victim. During an interrogation, Clem confessed to being involved in both robberies. The second suspect is still at large in that case.

Currently detectives are looking at the possibility this suspect may be involved in other robberies. It appeared the robberies target older victims. The outstanding suspect in the first robbery was described as a male black between the ages of 16-18.

Anyone with information on this suspect is encouraged to call Lieutenant C. Kennedy of Palmdale Station at 661-272-2506.

Terrill Clem was transported and booked at the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station. Clem was booked on charges of robbery with a bail amount of $100,000. Clem is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, July 26th at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.

Anyone can report anonymously about any crime or wanted suspects through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-Tips, or email lacrimestoppers.org.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

27 comments for "Elderly targeted in strong-arm robberies"

  1. Him and his parents should be fined no matter if he is over 18 they raised a criminal, hope they are proud of their child. At least he confessed, and he was found with the woman’s purse.

    • LIKE I BEEN SAYING! 3 STRIKES AN YOUR OUT OFF AV! SENT BACK TO GOOD OLD LOS ANGELES! THERE THE ONES DROPPING ALL THEM LOW HOUSING PEOPLE OVER HERE RE LOCATING THEM TO THE AV!!! MANY HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS OR RELATIVES THAT LIVE WITH THEM HAVE IT!

  2. All mass shootings have been committed by men, and overwhelmingly white. New town, Aurora, Columbine, Jonesboro, Tucson. So maybe we could figure that out

    • SO WHAT’S YOUR POINT!!! WERE IN LANCASTER!!! LOOK AT THE PIC! HE DON’T LOOK WHT TO ME!

  3. Racism is alive. No matter what his race is he was wrong. And he should take fall responsibility for his action. But don’t blame all black men for one man action.

  5. You are all right. were is al Sharpton calling for the abuse of elders. oh wait there is no money in protecting old people.

    • YUP! THATS THE ONLY TIME THEY COME OUT OF THE CLOSET. ANYTIME THERE’S MONEY TO BE MADE, BE SURE JESSE JACKSON AN AL WILL BE THERE TO STIR UP THINGS!

  6. You should go on the facebook page and see this guy’s aunt cussing at all of the posters and calling them names because her “precious” nephew got put on blast by the media for being a common thug! Priceless!

  7. A Real Tough Guy! I hope someone hears his Crime in the Court Holding Cell and spreads the word when they get back to County! You know he is going to be telling some Superman story when anyone asks what he’s in for! He needs a good Beating for this Crap!

    • Fellow inmates of the jail just going to love on some young fresh stuff.

      100K bail, doubtful that he’ll make that, so long time in the local jail waiting trial, then up to the “big house” for a few years.

      Anyone know how the arraignment went?

  9. LET ME GUESS HERE! LETS JUST SAY THIS THUG STARTED ATTACKING THE SENIOR OR HIS WIFE! IF THE SENIOR WOULD HAVE SHOT HIM!!!!!!!! OHHHHH LORD!!!!!!!!! THAT WOULD BE RACISM!!!!!!!!!!! AM I RIGHT!!!!!!!

    • its easy to hide behind keyboards and do racist drivebys, however yoyu know what? theres a group of people black, white, hispanic who just wants to live in peace. theres whites commiting just as many crimes if not more than the black. i see america put everything black people do on media alert. dont be in denial white america you are worse if not just as criminal as black america= we are all equal!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. WERES THEM ACTIVIST PROTESTING MY RIGHTS AGAINST THIS BS!!!
    LETS HAVE A PROTEST!! NOT FOR UNITY BUT FOR OUR RIGHTS BEING VIOLATED BY THE CRIMINALS THE AV HAS HERE!!!

      • Set it up we can go walk down Palmdale and in there hood and show them we wont take it anymore hopefully they start moving out of the AV they protest about any lil sh*** why cant we do the same set it up.

    • You want activists to protest your rights? ??? advocate for yourself, that’s up to u

  11. Well, I’m not surprised! I am sorry it’s happening to the elderly which shows these low life haven’t got the guts to go after anyone who could fight back. For all you seniors, arm yourself with pepper spray and not the kind from Big 5. Get it from a gun store. I’m on my way to get some now!!! As for you punks, rot in h3ll. Throw the book at them and if they’re not legally here, send them back to where they’re from. Dang, I’m soooooo angry! :(

  12. Sounds exactly like the same crapolla that happened to my grand-mother back in the 70s in Inglewood. We all know how that area turned out. Hard to stop the march of the cockroaches.