Valley Woman Assaulted; Purse Stolen

A stranger followed a 19-year-old Valley woman into her apartment parking lot on East Mansfield Avenue Monday night, grabbing her then stealing her purse, Sheriff’s deputies said.

The woman told deputies she noticed a car race up behind her and follow her into the parking lot at about 10:30 p.m.

Thinking it was just another resident, she pulled in, got out of her car and started walking toward the stairs.

A man in his 20s grabbed her from behind and pulled her back into the parking area, she told police. He then let her go and demanded she hand over her purse.

When she refused, the man pulled the purse away from her, ran to a newer silver or yellow hatchback car and drove off.

The woman described the thief as a black man, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, clean shaven, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a ski hat.

The woman noticed two other black men in the car with the thief, but couldn’t give detailed descriptions.

No arrests have been made.

, DataTimes