Dramatic purse-snatching caught on camera has police on hunt

A dramatic confrontation between a Miami woman walking home and a purse snatcher, caught on tape, has police on the lookout.

The 37-year-old woman was passing through the loading dock of her apartment building late Monday night when a man suddenly pulled ahead of her, trapping her between the wall and his 2013 Nissan Sentra.

A man in a blue shirt and black hat jumped out and grabbed for her purse. The terrified woman took off running across the loading bay at 1900 North Bayshore Dr., with the would-be robber in hot pursuit.

Security footage shows him running back (purse in hand) moments later. But he had a new problem. When he first corralled the woman with his car and jumped out to chase her he left the engine running. The car had rolled forward and ended up lodged between the wall and a concrete yellow pole.

The thief squeaked his car back-and-fourth, edging his way out with noticeable damage to the passenger side door. He sped off soon after, and his victim ran past the camera and into the path of a Miami police office.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Miami Police Department’s Robbery Unit at (305) 603-6370. Those with information that wish to remain anonymous can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477)

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 9:52 AM with the headline "Dramatic purse-snatching caught on camera has police on hunt."