Police seek attempted purse snatcher

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Hawaii Island police are investigating an attempted robbery Wednesday evening in Hilo.

Hawaii Island police are investigating an attempted robbery Wednesday evening in Hilo.

In response to an 8:03 p.m. call, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the 70 block of Banyan Drive, where a 79-year-old woman reported that she had been walking alone on the entrance ramp to a hotel when a man pulled on her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. The woman held on to her purse and screamed for help as the man dragged her by her purse. The man then fled on foot without the purse.

The suspect is described as a young “local male” wearing a light-colored shirt. He was last seen on foot heading south on Banyan Drive.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call the police department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.