A Flomaton Elementary School teacher was arrested Wednesday morning, after he allegedly stole a woman’s purse in the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel parking lot Tuesday night.

Clemente R. Brooks Sr., 52, of Dixon Road, Flomaton, was charged with third-degree robbery and first-degree theft of property. He was transported to the Escambia County Jail.

According to school officials, Brooks works as a fifth-grade teacher at FES.

Doyle “Butch” Lee, assistant chief with the Poarch Tribal Police Department, said that Brooks was in the casino’s parking lot at about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, when he approached two people — an elderly woman, and that woman’s younger daughter.

Lee said Brooks came up behind them and grabbed the older woman’s purse, and attempted to grab the daughter’s purse as well. Lee said the daughter was able to fend Brooks off, and Brooks then ran away with the mother’s purse.

Lee said the two women went back inside to report the theft to casino security.

Although Brooks was not apprehended at the time of the theft, Lee said enough evidence was available — including security video footage — to consider him the prime suspect. Tribal Police called Brooks in for questioning Wednesday morning, and he was arrested at 10:30 a.m.

Lee said the purse, which held about $400, was recovered.

Brewton Standard publisher Stephanie Nelson contributed to this story.