PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have released surveillance footage in hopes of catching an armed robber after he attacked a woman in a mall's parking lot and took off with her purse.
According to Pembroke Pines Police, on April 9th at around 4:30 p.m. inside of a parking garage next to Macy's in the Pembroke Lakes Mall, a man exited the passenger side of a vehicle and attacked an innocent shopper.
Investigators believe the suspect was already focused on a woman who was parked in a handicapped spot.
According to the victim, Barbara Epstein, she refused to hand over her purse to the suspect who was pointing a gun towards her. The man then dragged her across the parking garage and slammed her into the concrete floor and gained control of the purse when the strap broke. The suspect then ran to a vehicle that was waiting nearby.
"I noticed him lurking in that far corner, but he looked like the typical teenagers that were in the mall that day. It didn't appear to be threatening," said Epstein as she began to recall the horrific attack. "As I turned around and shut the trunk lid, he was a few inches from me, and he looked me straight in the eyes and he pulled out the gun from his gun belt and he said, ' Give me your purse.' I said, ' No way!' and I looked at him and he hesitated and then he lunged for it."
Pembroke Pines Police hope that someone will recognize the suspect on the surveillance video. "I just heard back from the detectives a little while ago, and they were notified by her credit card company that her information was used down in the city of Hialeah, so hopefully maybe someone down there will be able to identify him and pick him out," said police Sgt. Bryan Davis.
The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated on the scene by Pembroke Pines Rescue.
Police advise that if you are ever confronted at gunpoint for your wallet or purse, to give it up and do not take the risk of fighting back.
The suspect's accomplice is described as a white female with blonde hair. They fled the scene in a maroon Nissan Altima.
If you have any information on the suspect and his accomplice, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
According to Pembroke Pines Police, on April 9th at around 4:30 p.m. inside of a parking garage next to Macy's in the Pembroke Lakes Mall, a man exited the passenger side of a vehicle and attacked an innocent shopper.
Investigators believe the suspect was already focused on a woman who was parked in a handicapped spot.
According to the victim, Barbara Epstein, she refused to hand over her purse to the suspect who was pointing a gun towards her. The man then dragged her across the parking garage and slammed her into the concrete floor and gained control of the purse when the strap broke. The suspect then ran to a vehicle that was waiting nearby.
"I noticed him lurking in that far corner, but he looked like the typical teenagers that were in the mall that day. It didn't appear to be threatening," said Epstein as she began to recall the horrific attack. "As I turned around and shut the trunk lid, he was a few inches from me, and he looked me straight in the eyes and he pulled out the gun from his gun belt and he said, ' Give me your purse.' I said, ' No way!' and I looked at him and he hesitated and then he lunged for it."
Pembroke Pines Police hope that someone will recognize the suspect on the surveillance video. "I just heard back from the detectives a little while ago, and they were notified by her credit card company that her information was used down in the city of Hialeah, so hopefully maybe someone down there will be able to identify him and pick him out," said police Sgt. Bryan Davis.
The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated on the scene by Pembroke Pines Rescue.
Police advise that if you are ever confronted at gunpoint for your wallet or purse, to give it up and do not take the risk of fighting back.
The suspect's accomplice is described as a white female with blonde hair. They fled the scene in a maroon Nissan Altima.
If you have any information on the suspect and his accomplice, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
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