Police Investigate Latest Purse-Snatching On L.I.
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBS 2) -- Women on Long Island were on alert after reports of yet another purse snatching. The most recent case overnight follows more than two dozen previous incidents, some of which left the victims battered and bruised, Kathryn Brown reports.
This time it happened as the female victim was getting into her car at Nassau Community College around 11:00 p.m. Wednesday. The woman was mugged and her purse stolen.
Police on the scene interviewed the victim and possibly witnesses as well, trying to determine if the woman in this case is the 13th victim of two robbers who have been terrorizing women in Nassau County since October.
"I was a basket case," said victim Kathleen Samperi.
Some of the women fought back, like Samperi, but the muggers are determined. "I tugged with him like tug of war," she said. "He finally pulled me out of the car. He had the pocketbook and ran down the street."
Investigators said the suspects have mugged at least a dozen women so far, and each time, their method is the same. They stalk women at the mall or train station, follow them home, then attack them in their driveway, stealing their bags.
Both suspects were thought to be in their 20s. One is 5'4" to 5'6" with a thin build. The other is around 6' with a medium build. Their getaway car is a dark-colored, possibly gray, four-door sedan.
"Seeing a single woman in a car, or a single woman walking alone, that is when they decide to attack," said Det. Sgt. John Giambrone of the Nassau Robbery Squad.
Police were warning women to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, particularly now that the holiday season is in full swing.
