Gwinnett purse snatchers in pickup sought

Reward offered for tips on truck that dragged, hit victim.

Gwinnett County police are seeking the woman purse snatcher whose victim was dragged by a pickup truck down a hotel driveway a month ago.

About 6 p.m. on Aug. 9, a woman was walking to the Marriott on Technology Parkway in Peachtree Corners after a trip to a nearby store, Gwinnett police Cpl. Michele Pihera said Thursday.

A blue Honda Ridgeline drove by, and a woman got out of the front passenger seat and grabbed the victim’s purse, Pihera said. Fighting back, the victim was thrown to the ground. The thief got back into the truck, which drove off while the victim held onto her purse, Pihera said.

She “was dragged down the driveway of the Marriott hotel until being partially run over on Technology Parkway,” Pihera said. “She was eventually forced to let go of her purse.”

The woman had significant injuries to her foot, but refused a trip to a hospital, police said.

The woman who stole the purse was described as 30 to 40 years old, 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 to 170 pounds. She had shoulder-length hair and was wearing a black tank top that day.

The Honda’s model year was about 2006 to 2014, and it had a trailer hitch and a sticker on the bottom left corner of the rear window, police said.

“Though there is no description on the driver, he or she will likely face criminal charges as well,” Pihera said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 770-513-5300. Tipsters can also remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404577-8477 or crimestoppersatlanta.org.