Police: Man attempts purse snatching at Washington Square Mall
TIGARD, Ore. -- Police are searching for a man who tried to rob a woman at the Washington Square Mall by getting in to her parked car and asking for a ride.
The 65-year-old Portland woman said the incident happened about 5:30 p.m. March 14 after she had returned to her vehicle, parked on the west side of the shopping complex, according to a news bulletin from the Tigard Police Department.
While she was on her cell phone, she said an unknown man opened the front passenger door, sat in the seat and said, "Hello, my name is Parker. Will you give me a ride?," police said.
The woman said she quickly exited the car, as did the suspect, who had taken her purse. A struggle ensued and the woman managed to grab her purse back, according to the news bulletin.
The man ran off. The woman wasn't injured, police said.
The suspect is described as white, in his late 20s to mid 30s, 6 feet tall, slender and well dressed in a black jacket and khaki pants.
Video surveillance shows that the suspect may have been driving a black or dark-colored 1990s Subaru Forester.
Anyone with information, should call Tigard police at 503-639-6168.
maybe he just wanted some lipstick so he'd look pretty when he goes to jail
mass him then call 911 he will need it
Too bad granny didn't have a .357 Magnum and knew how to use it.
That looks a lot like the guy that took the womans purse in the Walmart in Woodland
When was the last time that a purse was successfully snatched?
I love that my car only unlocks the drivers door when I push the unlock button. But the fact that this creepy guy was waiting around for someone like this lady is scary. Be alert! Don't be distracted. Sounds like she took matters in her own hands too and let the guy know he wasn't dealing with someone that was going to give up without a fight. Unfortunately, he'll probably come back again better prepared.
@Justanother1Â
since I put my purchases on the backseat all doors locked. If I get in the driver's seat the other doors stay locked..who would think that there would be a problem at 4 PM at Washington Square? I was really lucky. Helps to grow up with 3 brothers!
@65yearoldGranny @Justanother1 carry mass
My wife is in the habit of immediately locking her doors when she get's in her vehicle.Â
That's to keep you out.
@Oregon7812Â
Maybe, but that doesn't explain why she does it when I am in the car with her.
@JohnQ.Public @Oregon7812 that's to prevent you from exiting and getting away
There are a lot of muggings happening at Washington Square of late. Never walk to your car without being vigilant about your surroundings. Hang up the phone, and pay attention!Â
. We live in a day and age that we are too distracted to see what's going down in front of us. Hopefully the man will be caught and dealt with swiftly. Then he can be arrested by the police.Â
If possible, walk to your car with your pistol or shotgun drawn. That should deter any would-be muggers.
This comment has been deleted
@feral @washcomom Your idiotic sense of humor must stem from a deep feeling of inadequacy. I laugh at you sir.
She should have purchased the Trunk Monkey from her dealership. Â When will people learn? Â
@LovesLilies ha ha so funny love it
@LovesLilies That should be standard equipment for everyone!
This comment has been deleted
@feral Whats the matter Feral? Whitey stole your dreams?.....
This comment has been deleted
@Josh Johnshum Ya if she carried in her purse like many women her lack of attention could have been very bad. Although if you bother to carry and get a CHL your likely not the type to walk to your car at night and not pay attention or talk on the phone with doors unlocked.
@Josh Johnshum True. She would probably be dead and we would be paying for Parkers food and housing for the next 35 years.
If he was driving a Suburu, he didn't even need a ride. What a liar.
@QuandoQuandoQuando actually, he said "we're going for a ride"
@QuandoQuandoQuando Makes you wonder if his name really IS Parker.
This story is really fishy. "Parker" looks pretty stout.  I don't see him losing a purse in a struggle with a 65 year old woman. And why exactly was there a struggle if they both got out of the car safely? Wouldn't the woman run towards safety after escaping such a traumatic encounter or try to lock herself back in the vehicle? Would a woman of those years really engage a large young man over a handbag; and recover the purse no less? Does this mean she ran around the outside of the car to engage him on the passenger side? Wouldn't she want to keep the car in between them and call 911? What about the person on the other end of the phone call when the carjacking occured? Did they call 911? Do police have a statement from them? Is it possible Grandmas recollection of these events is somewhat exaggerated?
@shorin hi. I see your point. You just don't know what you'll do when your adrenalin kicks in. Actually, I ran to the driver's side of the car as there were some men standing on the sidewalk and I yelled for them to call security. So when "Parker" got out he was standing next to me and I noticed he was holding my handbag which really pissed me and I grabbed for it. We each pulled on it until the lady who was parked next to me came out of Nordstrom and turned on her car alrm, at which time "Parker" ran off. You try to call 911 while you are running!!! btw...I play tennis 5 times a week and work out twice..never underestimate Grannies!!
@shorin Maybe she's "Super Granny"
@shorin Maybe he wasn't after her purse and grabbed it only as a way to get her attention. Sounds more like he was after her. The purse has her information in it. . . Â
@Justanother1 @shorin Yeah, Who knows what he was about? It almost seems like he might have been dosed with LSD or something; if he really got in the car at all.  I'm just saying the ladies version of events doesn't really sound believable to me.
Well, all they have to do is look for a white male, late 20's, 6 ft, who answers to the name of "Parker", maybe he used his real name?
@Kachina No, that's just his evil parking lot criminal alter-ego. Â
"They call me .... The Parker!! Bwahahaha!!"
It's quite foolish to sit in an unlocked car in a parking lot. There are warnings all over the place about criminals following women back to their cars and doing exactly this. The old lady got really lucky this time.
@badcat 65 is not old.
@65yearoldGranny @badcat get some mass
Hopefully this lady will develop the habit of always locking her car doors as soon as she gets in her car
@danoseknows as should everyone!
Cell phone situational awareness strikes again!Â