Couple suspected in robbery at Bella Terra

Police have arrested a Costa Mesa couple in connection with the strong-arm robbery of a 70-year-old woman at the Bella Terra shopping mall the morning of May 22.

The victim went to the vacant Mervyn’s store at Bella Terra on Edinger Avenue because she was unaware that the chain had gone out of business, authorities said.

A suspect approached her at 11:31 a.m. and assaulted her, striking her in the left shoulder, before ripping her purse from her arm and fleeing on foot, authorities said. A witness saw the suspect running away to a gold Chevrolet S-10 pickup, and took his vehicle’s license plate number and vehicle description.

The vehicle was spotted and stopped by the Costa Mesa Police Department on Harbor Boulevard just south of the 405 Freeway, authorities said.

Costa Mesa residents Michael Ross Healey, 40, and Barbara Jean Keator, 44, were in the vehicle and were apprehended by Huntington Beach Police. They were accused of strong-arm robbery involving injury. The pair were booked at Huntington Beach City Jail.

The victim is recovering from a broken collar bone, authorities said.

— Candice Baker