Police Seek Suspect in Violent Brighton Beach Purse-Snatching Attempt

BRIGHTON BEACH – Police are searching for a suspect after he knocked down and dragged a woman in an effort to steal her purse earlier this month in Brighton Beach.

On Sunday, September 10, the 22-year old victim was walking in the area of Neptune and Guilder Avenues around 11:00 pm, police said. Video surveillance shows the assailant, who was walking behind the victim, break into a run and attempt to snatch her purse.

The victim was knocked to the ground as the suspect tried unsuccessfully to yank her purse away. After a couple efforts, the victim regained her feet and the thief fled.

The video can be seen here:

Police have described the suspect as a black man, about 5’9” and 170 lbs, with black hair.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).  The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.