Violent purse snatchers preying on local women

BOCA RATON (CBS12) — Purse snatchers are preying on women in Boca Raton.

A recent rash of thefts has left those most vulnerable paying closer attention to their surroundings.

Now, one of those victims is sharing details of her attack with CBS 12 News, in hopes others don't become the next victim.

"I am weak, the black and blue keeps extending," Rita Singer says, sitting on an arm chair and wearing sunglasses indoors.

As one looks at the bruises on Singer's face, anger begins to swell up.

"It's getting worse on my lower face."

On Thursday, the Boca Raton resident was walking to the entrance of the Costco located along Congress Avenue, when Singer felt a car drive up along side her.

"And I tried to defend myself because I felt that he was getting closer to me."

Then what followed is the kind of brazen crime happening too often lately in the Boca Raton area.

The driver grabbed Singer's purse and because there was initial resistance as the car sped away, this precious woman was thrown to the ground.

"I feel discomfort, but I am encouraged that nothing is broken."

The similar type of attack - this one involving a women walking towards her car - happened last Tuesday at this Publix Super Market along Federal Highway just South of W. Camino Real.

Five days prior, a similar crime happened in the Palmetto Park Square parking lot near K-Mart; and as surveillance video from a West Boca Publix store taken last June shows, women, at times elderly, are being attacked and there personal items are being ripped from them.

Today, Singer began to get some part of her life back by getting a replacement phone.

But make no mistake, she remains defiant about what happened to her.

"This individual is probably a punk."

And it's not just one person attacking because in one instance, several black men were involved and in this latest case , it was a white guy.

Both Boca Raton Police and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office are pursuing leads regarding these crimes, so anyone with information is asked to contact crime stoppers.