Salinas police search for suspect accused of stealing purses in two incidents
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Salinas police are asking for help as they try to identify a vehicle and suspect associated with two robberies.
The first robbery happened at Costco when a woman was loading the trunk of her vehicle. Police said she was approached by a man driving a black Chevy pickup truck who got out and asked her for directions to Target. She said that while she was giving directions, the man stole her purse from her cart.
A possible partial license plate number was "749" or "249," and the suspect is described as a white man in his mid-20s.
The second robbery happened when another woman was loading the trunk of her vehicle at Walmart. Again, a man drove up in a black Chevy pickup truck and asked her for directions to Target. While she was giving directions, police said the suspect drive closer, grabbed her purse off her shoulder and started to drive away. She tried to hang onto it, but she fell and was injured.
The second victim described the suspect as a light-skinned Hispanic man in his mid-20s with black hair.
Police believe the same vehicle was used in both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. John Richardson at 831-758-7472 or johnr@ci.salinas.ca.us. Those who would like to remain anonymous can call the tip line at 831-775-4222.
