Man Pepper-Sprays Elderly Woman In Face, Steals Her Purse: Police

CHICAGO, IL — Police have released surveillance images of a man suspected of pepper-spraying an elderly woman before he stole her purse. The robbery happened in the 4700 bock of North Winthrop Avenue in Uptown around 3:30 on May 8, police said.

The man pretended to ask the woman for directions and then sprayed her in the face and took her purse, police said in a community alert. The suspect then ran off, police said.

The suspect is described as a 6 feet to 6 feet 3 inches tall black man with a slender build, around 40 to 50 years old. He was wearing a white hat, a light-colored tan shirt, darker tan pants and white gym shoes.

He was last seen leaving a black sedan, possibly a Dodge Avenger, at a gas station where he tried to buy something with the victim's credit card, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.

Image via Chicago Police Department