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Another purse snatching in busy shopping center
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The Turlock Police Department is investigating another purse snatching in the Monte Vista Crossing shopping center.

The latest robbery happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot in the 2800 block of Countryside Drive.

The female victim was walking in the parking lot when a man ran up behind her and yanked her purse from her arm, said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Russ Holeman.

The suspect jumped into an awaiting vehicle nearby, but before the suspects could speed out of the parking lot, the victim made an attempt at stopping them by jumping on to the hood of the car, Holeman said.

The suspects continued driving, causing the woman to fall off the car. The suspects were last seen speeding out of the parking lot. The victim did not require medical attention at the scene, Holeman said.

The suspect who took the purse was a black male and the driver was a black female. The vehicle was described as a silver Cadillac CTS with Chrome wheels and “smoked” rear tail lights.

This is the third case of purse snatching in the Monte Vista Crossings shopping center in the last two weeks.

On Dec. 1, a woman in her 90s had her purse stolen out of her shopping cart while she shopped. The woman lost all her credit cards, which it turned out were used within a short time at some of the other stores in Monte Vista Crossings, including at Target. Surveillance footage from Target was obtained of the woman suspected of fraudulently using the credit card. The suspect is a white female adult, with light brown or blonde hair. 

The second theft happened just after 9 p.m. Dec. 2 outside the Walmart store at 2111 Fulkerth Road.

A woman was placing items in her vehicle and had her purse in the shopping cart when it was snatched by three suspects, Holeman said.

The woman followed the suspects in her vehicle and contacted the police. She stopped following the suspects when one turned around and threatened to shoot her. The victim said she saw a firearm in the suspect’s waistband. 

The victim’s purse was recovered nearby, however, her cash was now missing. 

The suspects were two black males and one black female all in their early 20s.

The Turlock Police Department advises people to carry their purse with them while shopping, or if putting it in the shopping cart to use the buckles to strap it in.

Anyone with information about any of the thefts or the suspects is asked to contact the Turlock Police Department at 668-5550.