Investigators are looking for the man who snatched a 75-year-old woman’s purse Monday, Aug. 14, then dragged her through a Hacienda Heights parking lot as two good Samaritans chased him until she let go of the strap and he fled.
The victim, a Hacienda Heights resident, was treated at the scene by firefighters for abrasions to her shoulders, sheriff’s Sgt. Ken Fitch said.
Deputies have not recovered the victim’s purse, which contained a wallet, an unknown amount of cash and a cellphone.
The robbery happened outside the Bank of America at 1605 South Azusa Ave. at 11:18 a.m. in a shopping center that includes an Asian supermarket, a bakery and several restaurants.
This is scary folks. A robbery yesterday at the B of A parking lot on Azusa Ave in Hacienda Heights, interrupted by good samaritans! Hey @HildaSolis,@SupJaniceHahn and all the social justice warriors, how’s that “reimagining” working out?#VictimsMatter pic.twitter.com/HSFaA0CGDh
— Alex Villanueva (@AlexVilanueva33) August 15, 2023
The woman was at the ATM when the suspect came up behind her and grabbed her purse, Fitch said.
“He starts dragging her, eventually he got the purse off her,” the sergeant said.
The robbery was captured on video shared on social media.
The video shows the suspect dragging the victim who hangs onto the purse strap. She loses her shoes and he yanks off the purse. Two people run after the suspect then stop. The victim gets back on her feet.
One of the good Samaritans was waiting in line at the ATM before the robbery, the sergeant said.
“He heard her yell for help,” Fitch added.
Someone with one of the Good Samaritans took the video.
Among those who shared the video online was former Sheriff Alex Villanueva who posted it on X, formerly called Twitter.
Detectives were looking for more videos to see if there was a getaway car or an accomplice and are also checking reports for any similar crime.
Authorities asked that anyone with information about the…
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