Costco 'Purse Snatchers' Drag Woman Through Parking Lot: Report

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA — A woman was critically injured after purse snatchers violently dragged her as she held onto her purse in a Costco parking lot Sunday night, according to reports.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told KTLA that the 37-year-old woman was targeted at a Costco in the City of Industry. According to authorities, the woman's two friends were helping her load items into her car when another vehicle quickly pulled up behind them.

A suspect jumped out and attempted to grab the woman's purse, but she refused to let go, so the suspect punched her, LASD said. The victim was then dragged through the parking lot onto a nearby road before she fell off, KTLA reported.

The woman was taken to a local hospital in critical condition with head trauma but has since recovered and is in stable condition. According to KTLA, the woman had a facial fracture, abrasions, and a laceration to her scalp.

Since the incident, the victim's friend told KTLA he had been helping her by arranging for her car to be towed and canceling her stolen credit cards. The pair said they hope this incident will help remind people to be alert when doing errands.

Deputies told KTLA the suspects were seen leaving the area in a dark-colored Infiniti QX60 SUV. The suspects may have broken into another vehicle in the Costco parking lot before the altercation, LASD said.

Anyone who may have additional information about the incident was urged to contact the LASD Industry Station at 626-330-3322.

Read more from KTLA: Southern California woman describes being dragged by Costco purse snatcher.