95-Year-Old Woman Downed by Teen Robber in Dreadlocks

A dreadlock-wearing teenager knocked a 95-year-old woman to the ground in a purse-snatching Tuesday afternoon in the 7800 block of El Cajon Boulevard, police say. The victim was not injured, and her purse was recovered.

The robbery took place a little before 6 p.m.

 “The 95-year old female victim was approached from behind by the suspect as she was walking near 7840 El Cajon Blvd.,” said a police press release.

 The robber grabbed the victim’s purse, knocking the victim to the ground. 

“Once the [robber] was able to get the purse from the victim, he ran to a waiting vehicle, got in the passenger side and fled northbound on Woodyard Avenue.  The suspect vehicle then turned around at the dead-end of Woodyard and drove back southbound.”

Police said a witness followed the suspect vehicle in another vehicle as it turned westbound onto El Cajon Boulevard 

“As the witness followed, the suspect vehicle turned north onto 71st Street, where it stopped and the [robber] got out and fled on foot toward Mohawk Street,” police said. 

The suspect vehicle then fled the area.  The victim’s purse with all of her property was recovered near the intersection of 70th and Mohawk streets.

The robber was described as a black male, 16-18 years old, unknown height and weighing about 200 pounds. He wore 3-inch dreadlocks, a black, brown and red long sleeve shirt, dark shorts and white tennis shoes.

The getaway car was described as a  2000-2004 four-door maroon Nissan Altima.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line 888-580-TIPS (or sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.