Warrenton police have arrested a person accused of threatening a woman with a handgun and stealing her purse.

Roman R. Fitzgibbons, 26, of O’Fallon, previously of Warrenton, is charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. 

Police arrived at a home on the 1000 block of Arlington Way just after 9 a.m. Sunday in response to the armed robbery in progress, according to Warrenton police. The suspect had fled the scene when they arrived.

The victim told police that when she walked out of her residence into her garage, a male who was later identified as Fitzgibbons was in the passenger side of her vehicle. Fitzgibbons reportedly exited the vehicle, pointed a gun at the victim and pulled a purse from her shoulder, then fled into nearby woods, authorities allege.

During a search of the surrounding area, officers located Fitzgibbons about 30 minutes later covered in plant material and walking along Highway 47, according to police. He was arrested and taken back to the residence, where the victim reportedly confirmed that he was the perpetrator.

The victim’s purse was recovered during the course of the investigation. She told police a $20 bill and a roll of quarters were missing. When Fitzgibbons was searched at the Warren County Jail, authorities reportedly found a $20 bill and 27 quarters on his person.

Fitzgibbons is being held in jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond. He has an arraignment scheduled Sept. 27 at the Warren County Circuit Court.

Fitzgibbons has multiple prior convictions for theft-related felony offenses in St. Charles County.

First-degree robbery is a Class A felony punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison or a life sentence.