Tulsa Police Looking For Purse-Snatching Suspects

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

UNDATED -- Police believe the same four men have done three robberies in the Tulsa area. Detectives are sick of these guys getting away with it and so are the victims.

The first robbery happened November 1, 2010, in Owasso. The second one was November 5, 2010, in south Tulsa and the victim was a 67-year-old woman. The third robbery happened November 9, 2010 and the victim was with a friend.

All were in busy parking lots, but that didn't stop the thieves from taking what they wanted.

Katie and Sherri have been friends for years and decided to run to Sam's together near 71st and Mingo Tuesday night around 7:30 p.m.

They had just gotten to their car with their stuff, when, it happened.

"In that situation, you don't what your instinct will be. Mine was to fight until I realized it was a dangerous situation and let go," Katie said.

Katie and Sherri both screamed up a storm, but, the man kept wrestling Katie for the purse until he knocked her to the ground and knocked her shopping cart on top of her.

The robber jumped into a getaway car that had pulled up with three men inside.

Surveillance tape caught the four Hispanic men trying to use the victims' credit cards, minutes after the robberies. They were in a gold or brown Honda Accord with a sunroof and the passenger mirror was dangling.

"It is one of those things you never think is going to happen to you," Katie said.

It's happening all across the country. A video from Ohio shows a woman pulling up next to a victim to ask for directions. When the victim turns to point the way, the robbers grabbed her purse and ended up dragging her about 10 feet before getting her purse. The victim suffered a broken shoulder.

These types of robberies will only get worse as we approach the holidays. Katie and Sherri have some advice for thieves.

"We both get up and go to work every day and work hard. That's what they should do, if they want something, go get a job; don't take what's not yours," Sherri said.

Remember, if someone wants your purse, give it up, no property is worth getting hurt or killed over. If you don't have to carry a purse, don't; just keep a credit card and your ID in your pocket. If you do carry a purse, don't keep your car keys or cell phone in it.

If you recognize the suspects, call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS.