LaGrange police are searching for a suspect who allegedly stole a woman’s purse from her car’s passenger seat, while she started her car.

Police Monday were called to the Troup County Health Department in reference to an entering auto incident.

Officer Michael Belcher arrived at the health department at 1:29 p.m. and, after speaking with the victim, he learned that the incident was a robbery by snatch.

According to the victim, she had gotten into her 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis at about 1:25 p.m. after she had been inside the health department for about 25 minutes. As she was beginning to start her car, a young black male opened her right passenger door, saying “Excuse me” and grabbed her purse that was lying next to her in the front seat. She attempted to grab hold of her purse and tore a flap off as he took of with the purse. She said that he fled down Dallis Street toward Callaway Stadium where she lost sight of him.

Two witnesses said that they heard the victim scream and saw a black male approximately 5 feet, 6inches tall, wearing a white T-shirt, baggy jean shorts and a black hat run down Dallis Street toward the stadium with a purse under his arm.

Another witness was at the state Department of Driver Services and saw the suspect run down the road, according to police. He said he got into his car to go after him and followed the suspect to the rear stadium fence, where the suspect jumped the fence and he lost sight of him.

Belcher reviewed the health department’s security camera and also observed the suspect enter the victim’s car and take off with her purse.

The victim said her purse, valued at $50, contained $400 in cash and various credit cards, police said.

If anyone has any additional information about this incident, please contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706-883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000, or text an anonymous tip to TEXT-A-TIP at 274637, keyword “LAGRANGE.” Tips can also be submitted online at www.lagrangega.org or www.facebook.com/lagrange.police.