Crime & Safety
Group In Stolen Vehicle Tried To Steal Purses At KOP Mall: Police
Police say a group of who appeared to be teenagers tried to steal purses on two separate occasions in the KOP Mall parking lot this week.
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Police in Upper Merion Township said there were multiple reports earlier this week of a group of individuals attempting to steal mall patrons' purses in King of Prussia.
The Upper Merion Police Department said that on Monday around 9 p.m. it was notified of an attempted strong-arm robbery that took place in the parking lot of the Primark Store at the plaza at the King of Prussia Mall.
The female victim said she was getting into her car at the time when she was approached by a man who tried to forcibly steal her purse from off of her arm, police stated.
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The woman was able to thwart the attempted robbery.
The victim told police she saw two other men in a nearby car and that all three individuals fled the area after failing to get her purse.
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Meanwhile, while the officer was taking the initial report, he was approached by another female victim who said she was also just the target of an attempted purse-snatching in the parking lot of the Neiman Marcus store at the mall, according to police.
"The same vehicle drove past her and one of the passengers reached out and tried to forcibly grab her purse from her," police wrote in a news release. "She was able to hold onto her purse and the vehicle then fled the area."
Police said surveillance video at the scene captured the license plate of the car that was being driven by the suspects, and officers subsequently learned that the vehicle, a 2010 Toyota Corolla, had been stolen during an earlier auto theft incident in the City of Philadelphia.
"We have committed extra police patrols in the area and we are asking the public to be aware of your surroundings while shopping and getting back into your vehicle," Upper Merion Police wrote in their news release. "If you see anything that appears to be suspicious please notify the police department immediately."
Police said they are also looking for assistance in locating the stolen vehicle, and they ask anyone with information to call 610-265-3232.
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