Purse snatcher targets couple outside Meijer in Auburn Hills

Thief gets away with victim's purse in silver SUV

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Auburn Hills police are asking for help tracking down a purse snatcher who targeted a 68-year-old woman and her husband in the parking lot of Meijer store.

Police said the woman was in a motorized shopping cart with her husband outside the store on Brown Road Monday night when they were approached by a man who said he was from out of town and needed directions.

During the conversation, the man grabbed the woman's purse from out of a basket on the cart and took off.

Police said the woman tried to get out of the cart to run after the crook, but fell and suffered minor injuries. Her husband also tried to chase the man,  but he got away in a silver SUV – possibly a Ford Explorer.

Police have released two images of the parking lot and SUV that were taken from the store's security cameras.

The purse snatcher is described by police as a white man in his mid-20s, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds with a thin build. He had a mustache and a goatee.

Anyone who might have seen the crime or has any information on the purse snatcher, is asked to call the Auburn Hills Police Department at 248-370-9444, or Crime Stoppers at 800-SPEAKUP.

Calls can remain anonymous.