Drive-by purse snatch attempt caught on camera in Allen Park

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A driver grabs a woman's bag and speeds off outside a Target store in Allen Park

"It's a bold move and I'm not sure what the success rate would be," said Det. Jim Thorburn, Allen Park police. "It's hard to do both things at once as clear and evident here."

Call it a drive-by purse snatching - or at least an attempt at one. 

"He is so focused as he is pulling the purse, he veers off onto the curb almost striking this vehicle," Thorburn said.

This happened in a busy Target parking lot on Dec. 30 at about 7:30 p.m. 

"That's the first time I've seen a car," Thorburn said. "Like a drive-by purse snatching."

On video watch how a white Ford Explorer pulls up along two women walking towards the store.

"(He) tried to grab the purse strap as its on her shoulder. He missed and grabbed her hood and tries to speed off," Thorburn said.

The suspect dragged her by the hood for a short distance before leaving empty handed.  

A closer look shows how close he came to not only running her over but also hitting other vehicles in the lot. Luckily in this case no one was hurt, but police say this serves as a reminder that you can't be too comfortable. 

It makes sense if you are in the back of the parking lot to use extra caution but in this case the victim seemingly did everything right. She was walking with a friend, it was well lit and there were a lot of people around. Still she found herself the victim of a would-be purse snatcher.

Police say crimes like this are based purely on opportunity and there are things to do to be less of a target. 

"Shorten the strap, keep it closer, carry it across your body," Thorburn said. "And if you don't need to carry a purse, carry a wallet, or carry what you need to go with you that day."

Police also asking anyone who may know anything about this crime to give them a call at (313) 386-7800.