BOCA RATON – Boca Raton police are investigating a recent purse snatching incident and the robbery of a local gasoline station.
Officers responded at 2:35 p.m. August 19 to the purse theft that occurred on NW 13th Street. Public Information Officer Sandra Boonenberg said the victim told them that when she pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex, she noticed a black vehicle, possibly a Ford Taurus, occupied by a man. The woman said she parked her car and started walking toward her apartment.
As she was walking, Boonenberg said, she heard someone running up behind her. She turned around and saw the male from the car approaching her. The suspect, who was dressed in all black clothing, pushed her with one hand while he grabbed her purse with the other hand. The victim fell to the ground, sustaining minor abrasions and contusions. The suspect ran north on NW 12th Avenue and the vehicle left in an unknown 
direction.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Detective Scott Hanley at (561) 338-1344 or Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS.
On Monday, August 16 at 12:10 p.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Marathon gas station on North Federal Highway.
The victim told officers that two males, armed with handguns, entered the gas station and demanded the money from the register. The victim said the first suspect was about 5’10” tall, 190 pounds, wearing a grey hoodie, jeans, black and white sneakers, and black sunglasses. The second suspect was about 6’0” tall and heavyset, wearing a brown hoodie and brown sunglasses. A third male, wearing a black hat and black hoodie, waited outside the store.
When the victim told the suspect that she did not have any money, he pushed his way behind the counter and looked in the register. The suspects then forced the victim to go into the office, where there was a large amount of cash on the counter and in a bank envelope. The suspects took the money and the video tape from the surveillance system.
The suspects left the business and got into a dark-colored four-door vehicle and left in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Detective John Moran at (561) 338-1315 or Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS.