Women in Auckland's eastern suburbs are being urged to be on the alert for a serial bag snatcher who has struck five times in the last few days.
Police said the same offender man probably took all five bags and was travelling in a car stolen from Grey Lynn last Friday.
They said the latest two incidents occurred within 15 minutes of each other in Mission Bay and Remuera yesterday morning. The two victims were in their 80s.
One, an 87-year-old, was taken to hospital with a large gash to her right forearm after her handbag was snatched as she leaned towards the driver of a car who had asked her for directions to Meadowbank.
Police said when the driver pulled her right arm into the car to grab the bag from her shoulder, the woman cut her forearm on the driver's window.
He drove off with the navy blue cloth bag containing a small umbrella, sunglasses and a small floral purse with some $10 and $5 notes.
Fifteen minutes later an 80-year-old woman sitting at a bus stop on Remuera Rd was approached by a man who asked for directions. When she placed her handbag on the seat he grabbed it and left in a car heading towards Newmarket.
Police believe that the bag snatcher was driving a silver, 2001 Mazda 626 sedan GLX, which was stolen last Friday.
They described him as a 35 to 40-year-old caucasian of medium build with tanned skin and short, light-brown hair. He has a receding hairline, discoloured teeth and sports a tattoo on his upper left bicep.
Police today urged women to be vigilant and avoid engaging in conversation with strangers.
Last week Counties Manukau police charged nine men with theft, dishonesty offences, aggravated robbery, motor vehicle and drugs charges, after a spate of handbag thefts.
NZPA