CARLSBAD: Man still suspect in purse snatching, despite new info

By CHRIS NICHOLS - Staff Writer | Thursday, January 8, 2009 11:02 PM PST ∞

Mark Struk remained a suspect Thursday despite new information about his alleged participation in a purse-snatching at the scene of a fatal car crash.

The Carlsbad man has refuted the California Highway Patrol's claim that he stole the purse of a dying woman after a rollover wreck Sunday in Solana Beach, a CHP spokesman said Thursday. The new information from a witness at the scene appears to back up Struk's claim.

"We got some information that maybe someone saw him drop off the purse," CHP Sgt. Scott Payson said, noting Struk remains a suspect in the felony grand theft. "We're still going with what we have. But we're following up on all leads."

Yine Erandy Gonzalez Angeles, 24, of Tijuana died from injuries she suffered in the crash on Interstate 5. Angeles was six months' pregnant. Her unborn child did not survive.

Struk, 31, was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of felony grand theft. After being released on bail Wednesday, he proclaimed his innocence to the media.

Also, a person who was at the crash said he remembers Struk returning, not stealing, the purse.

"As I recall, we had finished turning over the SUV and I heard him yell out 'I saw this purse!' " Solomon Huss told television station NBC 7/39 Thursday. "He dropped it on the freeway about 20 feet from where we were."

Payson, the CHP sergeant, said a woman who they believe was a passenger in Struk's car has admitted her involvement in the alleged purse-snatching.

The woman was said to have grabbed the purse as Struk slowed his car down near the scene.

Payson said that woman, for reasons he said he could not divulge, has not been arrested.

No purse has been recovered, though investigators did find a wallet without any cash in it, Payson said.

The man suspected of causing the wreck, also from Carlsbad, will be arraigned next week.

John Francis Sudac, 27, posted $200,100 bail this week and was directed to return to court Monday in Vista.

Sudac turned himself in Sunday night and was booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Sudac was allegedly speeding in a Nissan Altima about 1 a.m. Sunday when he clipped the back of the Ford Explorer carrying Angeles, just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive.

Gonzalez was partially ejected as the Explorer rolled several times, the CHP said.

Witnesses said Sudac and a male passenger fled on foot from the crash scene. The male passenger remains at large. Authorities said earlier this week they are interested in identifying and questioning him.

Contact staff writer Chris Nichols at (760) 740-5426 or cnichols@nctimes.com.