MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police responded to Rite Aid, 1631 Elm St. for the report of an attempted purse-snatching Oct. 26 involving a 21-year-old woman. The woman told police she was returning home from work when she was accosted by two unknown men who attempted to remove her purse from her as she walked west on Penacook Street at 7:15 p.m.
The victim told police she noticed a man quickly approaching from behind her. She felt uncomfortable and immediately crossed the street, when a second male subject jumped in front of her. The two men made several attempts to forcefully remove her purse, which was draped across her neck and shoulder. One of the men grabbed it with enough force to knock her to the ground, which impeded her breathing for a brief period of time. She was able to fight off the two men by kicking and screaming. Fortunately, she was unharmed and did not relinquish her valuables.
The two men fled toward a waiting vehicle parked across the street from Rite-Aid. The two two male attackers were described by the victim as having dark complexions, one subject approximately 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds wearing a white-and-blue hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and unknown shoes. The second man who approached from the rear was described as tall and slender. She could not provide additional information as far as clothing descriptions or ethnicity.
A witness spoke with police and advised them that the two men entered a dark colored Jeep Cherokee after they failed in their attempt to retrieve the victim’s purse or the contents inside. The witness stated she came to the victim’s aid, so the men fled on foot toward the aforementioned SUV. She believes an additional person was operating the vehicle they left in.
Investigators looked at video footage from Rite-Aid when they observed two men enter a dark colored four-door sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry. It was missing the right front hubcap, so it should standout. Video footage above shows two people running through the parking lot in the first segment, and a dark-colored sedan leaving the parking lot. Police have not concluded whether this particular sedan is involved in this incident. However, investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have been in the area last night when this crime occurred, including the two men in the dark colored sedan.
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