MU student's purse snatched in parking lot

The victim was unharmed, but the attacker escaped with her purse.

By Lyndsie Manusos

Published Sept. 29, 2009

An MU Police Department officer was dispatched to Parking Lot HSC1 North after a reported robbery early Monday morning.

The victim, an MU student, said she and an acquaintance were walking east through the parking lot when she felt a hard pull on her purse over her shoulder, MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said.

As the victim turned, the suspect reached around her and grabbed her from behind. The victim struggled to get away and the purse fell from over her shoulder to the ground. According to an MUPD news release, the suspect let go of her and tried to take the purse.

An acquaintance traveling with the victim tried to retrieve the purse from the suspect and there was a struggle. The suspect was able to pull the purse free and ran west along Kentucky Boulevard, the news release stated. The robbery occurred around 2:25 a.m. Monday.

The victim described her attacker to be around 6 feet tall, of a medium build with dark clothing and a black ski mask, according to the release.

Weimer said the crime is under investigation and no additional details can be released.

According to the Uniform Crime Report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were three reported robberies at MU in 2008 and two reported robberies in 2009.

Anyone with information about the robbery can contact MUPD Detective Michael Loughlin, Crime Stoppers or submit a tip online at 875tips.com. Callers do not have to give their name and might be eligible for a reward up to $1,500 if information leads to an arrest.