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Police searching for purse snatcher

Kelowna RCMP is hoping for some help from the public in identifying a male believed to be responsible.

Kelowna RCMP is hoping for some help from the public in identifying a male believed responsible for two purse snatching incidents that occurred within the last 24 hours.

The first incident occurred yesterday at 2:50 p.m. in the 1600 block of Richter Street. A woman was walking in a parking lot when she was approached by a male in his 20s, who grabbed her purse and ran off. Bystanders heard the woman scream and one of them was able to recover the purse after the suspect dropped it while running away.

The second incident happened at 8:45 p.m. that evening in the Gordon Drive area near Pacific Avenue. A woman had her purse grabbed from her walker as she walked home. She grabbed the purse in response and the suspect threw her to the ground and ran away, removing her wallet and tossing her purse aside. The victim attended the hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the attack.

“Police are actively investigating these incidents and believe the suspect involved in both occurrences may be the same individual”, said Cst. Steve Holmes. “We want to solidify our investigation by obtaining as much eyewitness and/or video surveillance information as we can.”

“To that end, we are asking anyone who may have witnessed either of these events or may have video footage from a business located near the scenes, to contact police.”

In particular, any businesses located in the 1600 block of Richter Street and intersecting Lawrence Avenue, or any business located on Gordon Drive at Hwy 97, south to Pacific Avenue.

As well, police are issuing the following suspect description:

Caucasian male, in his 20s, thin build, short, light brown hair. Wearing a dark hoody/jacket and blue jeans.

Please contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 if you have any information.