Armed Robber Snatches Purses in Capitola

Capitola Police are in search of a man who robbed three women at gunpoint Monday night.

The man, who wore a bandana over his face, walked up to a car containing the women in the Brown Ranch Marketplace parking lot, threatened them with a gun, confiscated their purses and took off running. According to Capitola Detective Marquis Booth, police searched the area with a K9 unitbut came up empty.

He is described as white or Hispanic and about five-feet-ten-inches with a medium build. He was last seen running eastbound through the parking lot, Booth saidin a prepared statement. 

The Brown Ranch Marketplace is the Clares Street shopping center that includes Trader Joe's, Fresh Choice, Taqueria Tepeque and more. 

Anyone with information on the robbery should contact the Capitola Police Department at 475-4243.