String of purse robberies plagues northwest valley

Cathy Scott

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Women in the northwest valley, beware: A gunman may be on the prowl for your purse.

Over the past two months, an armed man has been approaching women as they arrive home and step out of their cars.

"The victims are confronted outside their residences," said Metro Police Sgt. Ted Moody. "It's usually females robbed of their purses, generally as they come home. The victims are confronted in dark areas, there's a gun pointed at them and the suspect says, 'Give me your purse.'"

The incidents, which Moody said have not yet been tallied, have occurred either late at night or during the early morning.

No injuries have been reported.

Some robberies have been reported on Cheyenne Avenue, Rainbow Boulevard and as far south as the Oakey Boulevard area, Moody said. "We're really not sure how many are related. It's pretty spread out."

But because the method of operation is largely the same, detectives believe it's the same robber.

One purse snatching occurred in North Las Vegas.

North Las Vegas Police Lt. Chris Larotonda said that about three weeks ago an armed man walked up to two women in their car after they pulled into a driveway near Craig Road and Decatur Boulevard.

"He demanded money," Larotonda said. "They gave him their purses and that was it. No one got injured."

Moody said detectives believe the incidents are related.

"We think we see a common thread with these incidents," he said. "These are street robberies. We're trying to determine the numbers. There are more questions than there are answers. "

The robber has not injured anyone, but Moody said, "There's always the potential for violence." Once he gets the purses and money he has demanded, he flees the area on foot.

Police are warning women to be cautious so they can stay safe.

The suspect is described as a black man, 5 feet 10 to 6 feet, 150-180 pounds and in his early to mid-20s. Police have asked anyone with information to call the Metro robbery detail at 229-3591 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Suspect