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'I'm Moving On Quick:' West Village Residents React To Tuesday Robbery

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- West Village residents are on alert after police said a man sprayed something in a woman's face before taking off with her purse.

The 33-year-old victim was walking on Horatio Street and Greenwich Street early Tuesday morning when police said a masked man attacked her from behind.

Investigators said the man sprayed his victim in the face with what they believe to be pepper spray before snatching her bag and fleeing. Surveillance video shows the suspect running off toward Jane Street with a purse in hand.

"On this corner? I'm moving on quick then," said one woman.

After seeing the surveillance video, West Village locals said they will be keeping their eyes peeled.

"It concerns me that anybody who's essentially mugging people on the street is still out there," said resident Guy Daurty.

"I'm often looking around and checking people around me and I've taught my children to do the same thing and to be cautious about who's around them," resident Missy Barshay said.

Sherry Felix has seen the neighborhood change in the four decades she's lived on this block.

"Well shades of the past," Felix said. "I don't tend to go out at night and if you are a single person traveling around 2 o'clock in the morning then you better look out."

Resident Meagan Powers agrees, telling CBS2's Ali Bauman that she wouldn't feel safe walking around the neighborhood at that time.

Aria Carlston walks the block each night after her shift at a nearby hotel. Now, she's planning to take some extra precautions.

"Maybe I will carry some pepper spray, some mace, and be more careful," Carlston said.

The victim was treated at Lenox Hill Hospital for some irritation to her eyes.

The man was described as being 230 pounds and about 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans.

Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or (888) 57-PISTA for Spanish, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.

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