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Suspect Sought In Parkdale Purse Snatchings

Tuesday March 20, 2007

Police in Parkdale believe several purse snatching incidents in the area could be tied to one individual after a security camera captured images of a suspect.

It's alleged that the suspect waited for his most recent victim, a 71-year-old woman, to enter her apartment building and the victim, unaware that the suspect wasn't a resident, opened the door for him.

The pair got on the elevator together, at which point the suspect reportedly assaulted the elderly woman, knocked her to the ground, grabbed her purse and ran down a flight of stairs and out the building's back exit.

"Parkdale has been known for some drug problems and certainly Lansdowne and Queen does have its share of drug problems," said Toronto Police Det. Lesley Hildred.

"Could this be the motivation, quick money? Probably, however in this case he didn't even get a lot of money.

"He upset an older lady, wrecked her life and for what, $10?"

The woman suffered two broken ribs from the attack.

Neighbourhood residents are understandably disturbed by news of this and other attacks.

"There's no reason for someone to harm an elderly person," said one local named Tracey.

"That's somebody's mother, that's somebody's grandmother."

The brutal, cowardly assault is reminiscent of another robbery that made international headlines this month when a 101-year-old New York woman was repeatedly punched by an attacker before her purse was taken along with $32.

Police also aren't ruling out the possibility of other offenders and are asking that any additional victims come forward while warning area residents to be aware of their surroundings and alert to anyone that might be following them.

"We are having a real problem right now in the Parkdale area with purse snatches, so we're hoping that women that carry purses are more vigilant," Hildred said.

"Don't let people into your building."

If you have any other information, please contact Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS or 14 Division at (416) 808-1400.