Witness interrupts bag snatcher's mall getaway

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

A man snatched the purses of two St. Charles Towne Center shoppers as they ate lunch in the food court Oct. 21, according to Charles County sheriff's officers.

The two women were eating at separate tables in the mall in Waldorf when a stranger ran past, grabbed the bags, then ran into the mall parking lot.

A witness chased the man down and grabbed him at a nearby business, and although he broke free, he dropped one of the stolen purses.

Officers who responded to the mall at about 1:54 p.m. saw the man running through a neighborhood and chased him on foot, but lost sight of him as he entered a wooded area near Chestnut Drive.

Officers canvassed the area and found the victims' wallets, cell phones and other items. No one was injured.

One purse was still missing after the search, police reported.

The man is described as black, in his late teens.

Witnesses said he had a thin build and short hair. At the time of the theft, he was wearing a white polo shirt, a gray T-shirt and dark pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 301-932-2222.

Officer D. Major is investigating.