Palm Desert purse snatch victim warns of danger

Amy Monroe had her purse snatched in the Target parking lot in Palm Desert, and she now lives in fear.

“The guy ran up and took the purse from my hand and then ran down the way for a vehicle that was waiting and he jumped in the car,” says Monroe.

The burglary happened on Jan. 15th at 6:30 p.m. about 100 feet away from the front entrance to the Target.

“I ran out to try to see the car, there was several people in the parking lot and one very kind gentleman called the police right away. Another guy jumped in his car to try to chase the car, but he wasn’t able to find the car,” says Monroe.

Now these thieves have Monroe’s credit cards, drivers license, and more.

“I had just gotten a new job so I had my social security card in my purse as well. I can’t even go to the bank to get money out because I don’t have a photo ID,” says Monroe.

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“That’s something that you don’t expect especially in this neighborhood and it’s the safest neighborhood in the desert other than Indian Wells,” says Shantee Lands who shops at this Target regularly.

“Things are more dangerous than they used to be, I grew up in the 50’s when you didn’t have to worry about things like that, and now you do,” says Target shopper Chey Riga.

“I think they should probably beef up security in these kind of parking lots, it’s kind of a big shopping center,” says Perry Templeton, who was out shopping with his baby girl.

We reached out to Target about the incident and they responded with a statement that reads: “The safety and security of our guests is a top priority for Target. We take these matters very seriously and we are partnering with local law enforcement on this incident.”

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“What upsets me the most is if this were to had happened to my Mom, or my grandma. This is an elderly community and there’s nothing that these people can do to try to fight back,” says Monroe.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says this is an open investigation and they are still working on the case.

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