MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The search is on for the man who dragged a 50-year-old woman across a parking lot while attempting to steal her purse.
The incident happened shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday at Normandy Supermarket at 969 Normandy Beach Ct. in Miami Beach.
Barbara Rodriguez, 50, told police she was walking to her vehicle after shopping at the supermarket. Police said her vehicle was in the north end of the parking lot.
While approaching her vehicle, a man had approached Rodriguez from behind and placed a unknown simulated weapon on her back while attempt to snatch her purse, according to Miami Beach police.
A long struggle ensued for 10 seconds when Rodriguez fell to the ground. Police said Rodriguez refused to give up her purse and was dragged around the concrete parking lot on her knees and elbows for 10 seconds. She had visible scrapes on her elbows, police said.
The man fled the area after a pickup truck drove into the parking lot and spooked him, according to Miami Beach police.
Rodriguez told police a group of good Samaritans rendered aid by chasing and holding the purse snatcher down at the entrance of the parking lot.
The man eventually fled westbound on Normandy Drive, police said.
"The broken nose belongs to me," Rodriguez said in Spanish, according to the police report.
Rodriguez elaborated by saying she kicked the man's nose, whose blood could be seen on the ground, police said.
The man was described as having gray hair and an unkempt beard and mustache. He was wearing blue jeans, black sneakers and a black snow cap, which was left behind at the scene, police said.
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