Nanaimo RCMP are seeking the public’s help after a purse snatching incident that occurred on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred at around 6 p.m. on April 4th, near the intersection of Townsite Road and Vancouver Avenue.
According to police reports, a 67-year-old woman was walking with her husband and adult daughter when an unknown individual snatched her purse from behind.
The force of the theft caused her to spin around and fall to the ground. Although she sustained some minor injuries, including cuts and scrapes to her hands and leg, she declined medical treatment.
While no one in her group, including her, saw the suspect’s face, they were able to provide a description of the clothing worn.
Police searched the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.The victim’s family did not see the suspect’s face but provided a description of the clothing worn.
The suspect is described as an adult man in his mid-20s with a slim build, average height, and wearing a green and white horizontal top, jeans, black runners with white soles, and a black toque with a horizontal stripe.
Investigators have carried out an extensive canvass of the area but were unable to obtain any CCTV footage that showed the suspect. However, Nanaimo RCMP said the investigation revealed that the suspect may be associated with a newer model blue Honda that was extremely dirty on the back end at the time of the theft.
Following the incident, the victim’s credit cards were used to make various purchases at different locations in Nanaimo less than 30 minutes after the theft.
The victim also lost her cell phone, keys, and other government-issued identification. Investigators are following up with these locations for possible surveillance footage.
Anyone with information on this incident or dashcam footage from 5:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4th are asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
