RITA COOK / News Editor

    RED OAK – The Red Oak Police said last week they have identified the ‘Christmas Grinch’ purse snatcher who went on a crime spree last month at the local Walmart.

    Late last month, the department released a video of a purse snatcher they were trying to identify who used one of the victim’s credit cards at a Target and DTLR in the Wheatland Town Crossing Shopping Center in Dallas.

    Through additional investigation, the suspect in the video has now been identified as Harvey Glenn Sowels II, a 25-year-old, black male.

    The suspect went on the purse snatching spree Dec. 12 and 29, between noon and 2 p.m. In both incidents, Sowels was driving a silver vehicle and rolling up to the victims before reaching out to grab the victim’s purses.

    On Dec. 27, an arrest warrant was issued for Sowels for his alleged involvement in the offense. The warrant was issued for theft of property less than $,2500 with two previous convictions.

    Sowels currently remains at large with an active arrest warrant.

    Anyone with information to Sow-els location should contact the Red Oak Police Department at 972-775-3333.