Police Seek Public’s Help in Robbery Investigation

UPDATED @ 8:36 a.m. April 16: Ferguson Township police are asking for the community’s help as they look for suspects involved in this robbery, according to a news release. Several people gave chase — on foot — and ran toward the suspect vehicle after the robbery happened, police said.

And ‘police would like to speak with those citizens to determine if they have any information which would be useful to the investigation,’ the release reads. ‘The purse stolen during the robbery was a black-leather-style purse with a shoulder strap.’

It was taken from a 79-year-old woman who was loading groceries into her vehicle, according to the release.

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at (800) 479-0050 or (814) 237-1172. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may call the Centre County Crimestoppers at (877) 99-CRIME.

Earlier coverage is posted below.

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Earlier report, posted @ 5:33 p.m. April 14:

A State College grocery-store customer was the target of a strong-armed robbery Thursday afternoon in Ferguson Township, municipal police said.

It happened about 12:55 p.m. in the Giant supermarket parking lot at 255 Northland Center, just off of North Atherton Street, according to a township news release. Police said the victim had just bought groceries and was loading them into her car when a man approached her.

The man asked if she needed any help, then grabbed her purse from a shopping cart, according to the news release. Police said he ran to a car parked nearby.

They described him as a white man in his 20s. He was wearing a white T-shirt and light blue jeans, and driving a medium- to dark-blue sedan, according to the news release.

Police are asking anyone with information to call township authorities at (800) 479-0050 or (814) 237-1172. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can share information via Centre County Crimestoppers at (877) 99-CRIME, police said.

Earlier coverage

• Gas Pumps Planned for Giant along North Atherton (Feb. 14, 2011)