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Purse snatcher targets 81-year-old woman in Abbotsford

Police describe incident in shopping centre parking lot as 'heinous'
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A purse snatcher in Abbotsford targeted an 81-year-old woman with a cane on Monday afternoon.

The incident took place at 3:20 p.m. when the woman was walking to her car after doing some Christmas shopping at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre at 32900 South Fraser Way.

Const. Ian MacDonald said the woman, who is under five feet tall and walks with the use of a cane, was approached by a young man who asked her how she was doing.

As she proceeded to get into her vehicle, the man grabbed her purse out of her hands and ran to a waiting yellow sedan, where he jumped into the passenger seat.

The vehicle, driven by another young man, left the parking lot and travelled along South Fraser Way.

MacDonald said the victim was “severely traumatized” by the incident and was taken to hospital for examination.

He described the crime as “heinous” and said investigators are appealing for information.

The purse snatcher is described as Caucasian, 20 to 30 year old and about 5’ 8” tall with a thin build. He was clean-shaven with short brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.