By By Adam Prestridge
A Goodway woman was the victim of a theft on Pensacola Avenue in front of the Atmore Area YMCA just before 4 p.m. Monday afternoon.
According to the victim’s son, Gregg Akins, his mother, 65-year-old Glendean Harrison’s purse was stolen by a white male after she pulled her vehicle over on Pensacola Avenue at 3:45 p.m. for him to assist her with what he made seem were car troubles.
Akins said his mother pulled over on Pensacola Avenue in front of the YMCA and exited her car. As soon as the man approached the car, he pushed Harrison back into her car, snatched her purse that was lying on the passenger seat and drove off.
Atmore Public Safety Director Glenn Carlee said a similar incident occurred Monday evening just before 7 p.m. in the Walnut Hill, Fla. area, which authorities think are linked.
The incident in Florida occurred at around 6:45 p.m. on S. Hwy. 99 between Grimes Lane and Hwy. 97 and a woman was again the victim.
Carlee advised anyone, especially women, not to pull over for anyone in a secluded area where no one is nearby. He believes Harrison did correctly.
The apparent mugger is described as a clean-cut, white male between the ages of 20-30 wearing a red hat and dark-colored T-shirt. The suspect was driving a dark-colored SUV. Harrison did, however, get a partial license plate number, which reads “30A69.”
If you have any information regarding this crime, contact the Atmore Police Department at 368-9141.