Boca Raton Police Searching for Man Who Grabbed Purse From Woman in Mall Parking Lot

The vehicle driven by the suspect in a strong-arm robbery, Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo: Boca Raton Police)

Boca Raton police are asking for the public’s help to identify a vehicle linked to a strong-arm robbery in a mall parking lot Friday.

According to a statement from police, officers were called just after 6 p.m. to the east parking lot at the Boca Town Center mall, at 6000 W. Glades Road. As the victim was walking towards the mall from her vehicle, the suspect approached and began pulling her purse off her shoulder, Officer Jessica Desir said. A brief struggle ensued and the suspect fled on foot with the victim’s purse towards Butts Road.

The victim was not injured.

The suspect was described as a thin-build black male, possibly in his 20s, wearing a red sweatshirt and jeans. Officers conducted a search of the area, including the use of a helicopter, and the suspect was not located. Upon further investigation, Desir said, the suspect vehicle was identified as a black 2013-2017 Honda Accord with no license plate attached.

A security camera photo of the suspect vehicle was located and is attached to this story.

Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to contact Detective Jonathan Owirka at 561-982-4925.