Purse snatcher targeting Northwest Side parking lots

July 10, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Residents on Chicago's Northwest Side were warned Tuesday about an alleged purse snatcher.

There have been at least seven incidents in the past week.

Police say the suspect targets women in the parking lots of retail stores. While shoppers are unloading shopping carts, police say, the offender grabs the purse, sometimes using physical force, and takes off.

The suspect, a man, is said to have been seen driving a red Dodge van.

In a Chicago Police Department community alert issued Monday, the suspect was described as about 5'6" or 5'7" tall, weighing about 150 to 160 pounds, Black or Black Hispanic, and wearing a grey polo shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Area North Bureau of Detectives at (312) 744-8261.

Incidents confirmed by police:

• 4100 blk. N. Elston Ave. - July 05, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.
• 4700 blk. W. Irving Park Rd. - July 06, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
• 4600 blk. W. Belmont Ave. - July 07, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
• 3500 blk. N. Elston Ave. - July 07, 2012 at 1:10 p.m.
• 3900 blk. N. Meade Ave. - July 09, 2012 at 9:10 a.m.
• 2600 blk. N. Elston Ave. - July 09, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.
• 6400 blk. W. Diversey Ave. - July 09, 2012 at 1:20 p.m.

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