UPDATE: Due to an overwhelming number of tips for the public, the Abbotsford Police was able to locate and arrest the 25-year-old suspect allegedly involved in robbing an 89-year-old woman outside a bank last week.
Previous story: An 89-year-old woman and her daughter were getting into their car at a local credit union parking lot in Abbotsford on April 14 when a man grabbed the older woman’s purse, and pulled her to the ground.
The woman and her daughter had just left the financial institution on South Fraser Way when the incident took place.
The suspect ran northbound from the parking lot.
Cst. Ian MacDonald with Abbotsford police calls the incident “despicable” and “heinous.”
He says they have video from the financial institution and neighboring businesses to help with their investigation.
The 89-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment of various injuries including scrapes and some abrasions.
“She was suffering both physical and psychological injuries. She’s still shaken up, she’s quite scared,” says MacDonald.
According to police, the suspect was inside the bank immediately before the robbery took place in the parking lot.
Police describe him as Caucasian male, in his 20s, with a thin build. He was wearing a blue “Bench” brand hooded jacket.
MacDonald says he is confident the images released of the suspect will help identify him right away.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Abbotsford Police or Crime stoppers.