White Rock RCMP are encouraging victims of crime to act quickly in reporting the offence, following a purse-snatching last week.
Staff Sgt. Daryl Creighton said a 78-year-old woman was knocked to her knees in the Oct. 27 incident, which occurred shortly before 5 p.m. in the 1300-block of Fir Street.
“Basically, an unknown male yanked her purse from her, causing her to fall onto her knees and elbow,” Creighton told Peace Arch News Wednesday.
Creighton said the incident – which occurred not far from the woman’s home – wasn’t reported to police for at least 30 minutes.
“It’s important people call when the event happens,” Creighton said, noting additional resources such as the Mounties’ dedicated helicopter, Air 1, could have been deployed in a search for a suspect.
He described the incident as “horrible,” but said there is no reason to believe it was more than a “crime of opportunity.” No similar incidents have been reported.
“I don’t think people need to fear that it’s going to be a serial occurrence,” Creighton said.
The suspect is described as a thin white male, approximately five-foot-seven inches tall. He was wearing dark shoes, dark pants, a dark-brown, hip-length jacket and a dark hoodie pulled tightly around his face.
Anyone with information that could help police identify the culprit is asked to call White Rock RCMP at 778-593-3600, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or solvecrime.ca