Update: First Reported Robbery of 2012: Woman’s Purse, Laptop Taken

Updated at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 6, 2012

A young La Mesa woman sitting outside the Starbucks on Baltimore Drive struggled to protect her purse, but a man took it and a laptop computer Thursday evening and fled in a waiting car, authorities said.

The incident happened about 5:45 p.m. in the first reported robbery of the new year in La Mesa.  Nobody was injured, police said.

“The victim covered her purse with her hand as the suspect grabbed the purse and the laptop,” said a La Mesa police statement. “A short struggle ensued and the suspect gained control of both items.”

The woman, who was in her 20s, was sitting by herself in the incident at 5020 Baltimore Dr., said police Sgt. Steve Osmers.  Another patron saw the robbery, and gave chase with the victim after the car, he said.

The robber—described as Hispanic male in his mid-20s wearing a red plaid shirt and blue jeans—got into the passenger side of a waiting white 4-door vehicle driven by a second male, police said, “and the two sped away southbound on Baltimore Drive from the parking lot.”

Officers searched the area with help from the sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter but were unable to find the men or their vehicle, police said.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information on this case or others is asked to call the Police Department at 619-667-1400.

You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (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.