Woman Pistol Whipped During Purse Snatching

A woman who wrestled with a suspect during a purse snatching on Friday night was pistol whipped before the suspect fled, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Here's what happened, according to a report from TPD officials:

The woman works for an insurance company and collects payments from clients. Around 8:55 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, she was leaving 8307 Semmes Street near the intersection of Waters and Nebraska avenues after having dinner with friends.

When she got to her vehicle, which was parked on the street, a man approached her from the side of the house and pointed a small silver handgun at her, demanding that she give him her purse.

The woman refused and held on to her purse, which contained insurance payments, a cell phone, and a company-issued handheld device.

The two began to wrestle over the purse. Then, the suspect began pistol whipping the woman with the butt of the gun, knocking her onto the ground. He dragged her by the purse and beat her with the gun until the straps broke. He fled on foot with the purse to an awaiting vehicle described as a maroon Buick Skylark with a Florida tag driven by someone else.

The suspect got away with $1,397 in cash and $2,200 in checks that were in the woman's purse, along with the electronics.

The woman was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and treated for non-life threatening cuts to her forehead.

The suspect is described as a black male between 5'6" to 5'9" tall with a slim build, a gray knit cap, bluish gray striped shirt and medium-colored blue jeans. He may go by the name "Rico."

If you have information on the case, call 813-931-6451.