Victim's arm broken in Walsall bag snatch attack
A woman had her arm broken and another was knocked to the ground after being targeted by handbag thieves.
Police today said the victims were knocked down and one was dragged along the floor in the separate street attacks in Walsall.
A 44-year-old woman, who had recently had surgery, had her handbag snatched near a row of shops in Willenhall.
She was pushed to the floor by a man on a bike as she walked along a footpath in Stroud Avenue, Short Heath. As she fell to the ground he grabbed her handbag and ran off leaving the victim with a leg injury.
A passer-by saw what happened and came to the aid of the victim before chasing after the robber.
The attacker was white, aged 17 to 20, of slim build with bald or blond coloured hair. It happened at around 1.30pm on April 14.
Dc Clare Cavanagh, of Walsall CID, said: "This was a really horrific experience for the victim who was left lying on the floor after the attack.
"She had recently been in hospital for heart surgery and this robbery has left her very shaken and frightened.
"We know there were a number of people outside the shops when this happened and we want to hear from anyone who saw anything.We are also keen to speak to the man who came to the victim's aid and, with no concern for his own safety, chased after the robber.
The second victim was dragged along the ground as a robber stole her handbag also in broad daylight. The 52-year-old was attacked from behind as she walked along St Quentin Street, in Pleck, at around 9.30am on April 12.
The robber grabbed her handbag and then hit her in the face, pulling her to the ground. Despite her best efforts to fight him off, the victim was dragged along the pavement until she let go of the bag containing cash and bank cards.
The woman suffered a broken arm, swelling to her cheek and grazing to her knees and elbow. The suspect was 5ft 10ins tall and of muscular build.
