New Castle (19720) – Delaware State Police detectives are continuing to investigate an attempted purse snatching which left a 65 year old New Castle woman hospitalized.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:08 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 in the parking lot of the Community Plaza Shopping Center located at the intersection of Christiana Road (DE 273) and Airport Road, New Castle.

A 65 year old New Castle woman who had just left the Walgreens Pharmacy, was at the driver’s side of her vehicle, in the process of unlocking the door. Before she could enter her vehicle, a green SUV, possibly a Chevrolet Suburban, pulled up alongside her, at which time the passenger reached out the window and grabbed the strap of her purse. Once the passenger had taken hold of the purse the operator of the vehicle accelerated, which in turn dragged the victim to the ground. The victim was able to retain her purse and the vehicle fled on Christiana Road westbound towards Newark. As a result of being knocked to the ground the victim sustained head and hip injuries for which she was transported to the Christiana Hospital for treatment.

The suspects were described as black males in their early 2o’s, clean cut and the operator was possibly wearing a black bandana on his head.

The above still image of the suspect vehicle was taken from security camera footage from within the shopping center. No known video of the suspects is available at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this incident they are asked to contact detective D. Dukes of the Troop 2 Robbery Unit at 302-365-8412. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crimestoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 110917 1844

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