*** runs over woman then steals her purse.

Driver Intentionally Crashes Into Woman, Attacks Her

POSTED: 11:39 am EDT July 24, 2006
UPDATED: 5:42 pm EDT July 24, 2006

INDIALANTIC, Fla. -- Indialantic police were looking for a dangerous
man, Monday, who violently ran down an elderly woman with his car to
steal her purse. The 80-year-old was walking near 10th Terrace and South
Palm Avenue on Monday morning. Investigators believe it may be connected
to another robbery.

The woman was just minding her own business walking down the street on
her way to the pharmacy, when a driver approached her and asked for some
directions. Little did she know he was really looking for a victim.

Indialantic police canvassed the neighborhood near South Palm Avenue and
12th Terrace late Monday morning. They were looking for anyone who might
have seen the man who attacked an 80-year-old woman as she walked down
the street.

Polices said she was on her way to the pharmacy when a man drove up
along side her and asked for directions to a convenience store. She gave
them and he drove away, for a moment.

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"He passed her at least twice. On the third time, he came back around
and struck her with the vehicle," said Detective Mike O'Conner,
Indialantic Police Department.

Police said it only got more violent.

"He punched her in the face a couple of times. He took her purse from
her and then fled the scene very quickly," O'Conner said.

A jogger saw the tail end of the incident and helped the woman get to a
fire station.

Neighbors said they had always felt safe and can't believe what
happened.

"I run out here everyday. I find that kind of shocking," said neighbor
Richard Kruber.

"There's never been any concerns," said neighbor Renee Hartley. "It's
not something that people really think about much. But now, maybe it's
something we need to start thinking about."

Police were looking for a black man in his early 20s with short braids
in his hair. They said he was wearing a red striped shirt and driving a
dark blue car.

Police said the description was very similar to two other recent
robberies, including one in the same neighborhood where a man was robbed
in his own driveway.

The victim was taken to the hospital and later released. She is going to
be okay.

Meanwhile police said they were stepping up patrols in the area.

http://www.wftv.com/news/9564838/detail.html


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