Thief Snatches Woman's Purse Near El Paseo

A woman was not injured Sunday when a man snatched her purse in Palm Desert, a sheriff's deputy said.

The robbery was reported at 7:55 p.m. Sunday on Ocotillo Drive and El Paseo, according to Sgt. Dave Smith of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The woman, who was only described as "elderly,'' was walking when the suspect came up from behind and grabbed the purse from her shoulder, Smith said.

The suspect ran into a waiting vehicle and drove off through a nearby parking lot, he said.

The suspect’s vehicle was described as a dark-colored, lowered, sleek
vehicle with a partial plate of 1505 or 5105, or a similar combination of
numbers.

The man was about 20 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and of medium build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with white on it.

Anyone with information about this purse snatching was asked to call police at (760) 836-1600.