Lynn police seek purse snatching suspect; incident was caught on video

By Colin A. Young, Globe Correspondent

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who was captured on video trying to grab another woman’s purse outside a Lynn liquor store.

“We had some leads early on in the investigation, but now it’s at a standstill,” Lynn Police Lieutenant Christopher Kelly said. “We are thinking that someone might recognize her.”

Around 8:20 p.m. on May 2, a woman was approached from behind as she exited Lynnway Liquors on the 700 block of the Lynnway, police said. The suspect, a white female with dark shoulder-length hair, attempted to rip the victim’s purse away from her.

“The female suspect and the victim then had a violent struggle for the purse,” Lynn police said in a statement. “The victim was spun to the ground on her back and was able to kick the suspect off of her.”

Security video from the store shows that, during the struggle, the contents of the victim’s purse spilled out into the parking lot. Police said the suspect did not make off with the purse.

Police described the suspect as a white female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with pale skin, dark shoulder-length hair, and a tight pink shirt. Police said she may have fled in a silver four-door sedan.

Kelly said that anyone who may recognize the suspect is encouraged to contact Lynn police at 781-595-2000 or text an anonymous tip by texting the word ‘tiplynn’ and the tip information to 847411.

Colin A. Young can be reached at colin.young@globe.com.