Suspect Swipes Woman's Purse Near Mall

The incident happened Friday night near Grossmont Center Mall in La Mesa

An unknown male suspect forcibly robbed a woman of her purse near Grossmont Center Mall in La Mesa Friday night, police said.

According to authorities, the woman was walking near the intersection of Grossmont Center Drive and Healthcare Drive at around 7:35 p.m. when a black male suspect approached her from behind and began tugging at her purse.

Police said the woman briefly struggled to hold on to her handbag, but the suspect then forcibly snatched the bag from her arm.

In the struggle, the woman lost her balance and fell to the ground. She was not injured and declined medical treatment.

Following the struggle for the handbag, police said the suspect entered a silver, two-door vehicle driven by another black male. The car was last seen traveling northbound on Grossmont Center Drive.

Officers searched the area for the suspects, but were unable to immediately locate them or the getaway car.

Police describe the main suspect as a black male between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 with an athletic build. He was wearing a blue polo shirt and dark pants during the alleged robbery.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the La Mesa Police Department.

This is the second reported purse-snatching near Grossmont Center Mall this month.

On Oct. 7, three male suspects robbed a woman of her purse at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Macyโ€™s store at the mall. In that robbery, a vehicle occupied by three black males slowly drove along the side of the victim and grabbed her purse as she walked.

When the woman struggled and didnโ€™t let go of her bag, the front passenger in the car pointed a black handgun at the victim. She was not injured.
 

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