Robbery Suspect Flees After Woman Strikes Him With Purse: Police

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A woman struck an armed man with her purse early Monday morning in Woodbridge after the man demanded she hand over the purse, leading the suspect to flee on foot, according to the Prince William County Police Department. The victim, a 34-year-old woman, did not report any injuries.

The woman was walking in the 2700 block of Haverford Lp. in the area of the Markham Grant Apartments around 1:30 a.m. Monday when the man, wearing a mask, approached her from behind. When the woman turned around, the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded her purse.

The woman "refused to comply and struck the suspect with her purse, which caused the suspect to flee on foot," the police said Monday in an incident report.

The victim continued walking to her home where she contacted the police. Police officers and a police K-9 searched the area for the suspect who was not located.

The attempted armed robbery suspect is described as a black male who is about five-feet seven-inches tall and 165 pounds. He is between 17 and 25 years of age, the police said. The suspect was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a light-colored facial mask, dark-colored gloves, light grey sweatpants and dark-colored shoes.

Anyone with information about the attempted armed robbery is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a webtip to www.pwcgov.org/policetip.