Crime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Robbery Division need the public's assistance identifying the suspects responsible for a robbery by force (purse snatching).
On Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11:40 am, the complainant was walking in the parking lot at the Kroger, located at 1352 W. 43rd Street, in Houston, Texas. The complainant stated that as she was walking towards the store, she was on her phone and had her purse strap around her shoulder. The complainant stated that she suddenly felt her purse being pulled away from her and realized that someone was taking it from a passing vehicle.
The suspect sitting in the driver’s seat of a Nissan Altima reached out of the window and snatched the victim’s purse. The vehicle then quickly fled the location. Prior to the incident, It is clear from watching the video that the unknown males in vehicle were seeking a target. HPD case #364316-19
Suspect description: Described as a black male in a dark colored Nissan Altima.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org
The Houston Police Robbery Division would like to provide some situational awareness tips in order to help avoid being a victim of a crime such as this:
• Scan for people watching from a distance or sitting in parked vehicles, especially vehicles with tinted windows or vans.
• Assess moving vehicles, especially vans and vehicles with more than one passenger inside.
• Be sensitive to body language or people walking, appearing to be lurking or idling.
• Periodically glance behind you to prevent being surprised by an attacker running or driving up from behind you.
• Walk down the middle of parking aisles to prevent from being surprised from between vehicles or behind.
• While walking close to vehicles and cutting between parked cars, assess the type of vehicle and your surroundings to reduce becoming more vulnerable to being grabbed.
• If possible, avoid being on your phone while walking in parking lots so you can be more aware of what is around you.
• Assess moving vehicles, especially vans and vehicles with more than one passenger inside.
• Be sensitive to body language or people walking, appearing to be lurking or idling.
• Periodically glance behind you to prevent being surprised by an attacker running or driving up from behind you.
• Walk down the middle of parking aisles to prevent from being surprised from between vehicles or behind.
• While walking close to vehicles and cutting between parked cars, assess the type of vehicle and your surroundings to reduce becoming more vulnerable to being grabbed.
• If possible, avoid being on your phone while walking in parking lots so you can be more aware of what is around you.
