Decorah Police Look for Purse Snatcher

Decorah Police are investigating an attempted theft and assault incident in which a man tried to snatch a woman's purse near the downtown area.

At about 10am Monday (Jan. 14), a woman was sitting in her car that was parked in the North Alley, near local businesses. She was approached by a man who asked for $5.

The woman did not give any money to the suspect.

A few minutes later, a woman was attempting to go into one of the businesses to go to work, when a man approached from behind and grabbed her purse.

The woman hung on to her purse, and struck the assailant, who fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his late teens or early 20's, tall, skinny, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark skinny jeans.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Decorah Police Department.

Police are also reminding residents to be aware of your surroundings, and use the buddy system, if possible.