CRIME BLOTTER

Police warn elderly women after string of purse snatchings in Gig Harbor

Dec 13, 2024, 4:32 PM

Photo: A law enforcement vehicle's lights....

A law enforcement vehicle's lights. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

Police in Gig Harbor are warning elderly women to be on the lookout for purse snatchers after three women were attacked in grocery store parking lots this week.

The attacks started Monday when a 77-year-old woman was robbed. An 80-year-old woman was attacked in a different parking lot on Wednesday and on Thursday it happened to a 73-year-old woman.

“In the first incident, the 77-year-old woman was knocked to the ground and sustained some significant injuries to her face,” Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelley Busey told KIRO Newsradio. “Ended up breaking her nose.”

More from James Lynch: King County expert urges parents to talk to children amid teacher abuse allegations

Chief Busey said it is unclear if the same suspects are responsible for all three attacks, but he believes it is likely as the attacks share similar characteristics.

“Two suspects drove up to a woman carrying her purse in a grocery store parking lot,” Busey said. “One jumped out of the car and pushed her down, took her purse from her forcibly, then fled in the vehicle. We are working leads in each of these cases. All independent leads, again trying to see if they’re all related to the same group of individuals.”

Police said they don’t have a solid description of the suspects but in one case, they were driving a stolen car. Crimes like these are not uncommon, especially during the holiday season. Police urge all women to exercise caution when leaving or returning to their car in grocery store parking lots.

“Women who carry purses shouldn’t leave them unattended in a cart,” Busey said. “If you are unloading groceries or something, go ahead and lock them up in the passenger compartment before you unload your groceries into the trunk.”

More crime: Scammers continue to target small Washington businesses

Or, don’t carry a purse and carry what you need in your pockets — anything to make yourself less of a target.

Anyone with information on these attacks should call 911.

James Lynch is a reporter at KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of James’ stories here. Follow James on X, or email him here.

Crime Blotter

graffiti seattle...

Frank Sumrall

3 graffiti taggers arrested after firing shots on an I-5 off-ramp in Seattle

Three graffiti taggers were arrested after shooting at a vehicle driving on an off-ramp along Interstate 5 in Seattle late Friday night.

7 hours ago

missing 17-month-old port orchard...

Frank Sumrall

Child found safe after Amber Alert issued for missing 17-month-old from Port Orchard

An Amber alert was issued and activated by WSP for a missing 17-month-old child who was abducted in Port Orchard.

10 hours ago

A shooting Saturday morning at a hookah lounge on Seattle's Rainier Avenue left one man injured. (P...

KIRO7 Eyewitness News Staff

Shooting near Rainier Valley hookah lounge leaves one injured

Seattle Police are investigating a shooting that happened at a hookah lounge in the Rainier Valley neighborhood in Seattle.

2 days ago

Insignia of the Lynnwood Police Department. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)...

Shawn Garrett, KIRO 7 News

Accidental shooting claims life of 17-year-old in Lynnwood

A 17-year-old was fatally shot Thursday night in what the Lynnwood Police Department is calling an accidental shooting.

2 days ago

Kent police are investigating the shooting death of a 24-year-old man. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)...

Tom Brock

Police investigate deadly shooting at Lake Fenwick Disc Golf Park in Kent

A shooting at a popular park on Kent’s West Hill left a man dead Friday.

2 days ago

spokane priest...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Spokane priest attacked during prayer service

A man has been arrested after video shows him allegedly attacking a Spokane priest, who was in the middle of a prayer service.

3 days ago

Police warn elderly women after string of purse snatchings in Gig Harbor