Knife-wielding robber steals woman's purse, can't get out of elevator

Elevator door closes as purse snatcher turns to leave

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's Office detectives are trying to identify a man who cornered a woman in an elevator and robbed a 77-year-old woman at knifepoint.

Loraine Bain had just stepped into an elevator in Lauderdale Lakes when a man followed her inside, took out a knife and demanded her purse, BSO spokeswoman Gina Carter said.

Surveillance video from the April 29 robbery shows the man's bungled attempt at making a swift getaway.

As the man turned to leave, the elevator door closed in front of him.

"And he was pushing the door to get out, but it was too late," Bain told Local 10 News.

The video shows the man fumble with the buttons for several seconds before the door eventually opens.

"It was like 100 years of my life," Bain said. "I was extremely frightened."

Bain said she asked him nicely if she could at least have her phone back.

"He didn't answer me He just put his finger to his mouth and he said, 'Don't shout,'" Bain said.

Carter said he got out on the fourth floor and fled down the stairwell.

Bain said she's been coming to Florida every winter for the past 30 years, but after her recent encounter with the purse snatcher, this may be her last.

"My heart was pounding pretty heavily," she said.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call the BSO at 954-321-4249 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

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