Resident’s call leads police to NewMarket Square purse-snatchers

An observant resident helped Wichita police arrest a man and woman sought in connection with the robbery and attempted robbery that occurred earlier this week in two busy northwest Wichita parking lots, police said Thursday.

Based on detailed descriptions from the victims of the purse snatchings, the resident recognized the gold Hyundai Santa Fe with a temporary tag from the incidents that occurred Monday in the parking lots of the Dillons and Wal-Mart near 21st Street and Maize Road, Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said Thursday.

The resident called police Wednesday to report the vehicle, which was in a neighborhood in the Central and Ridge area, Woodrow said. Police found the vehicle and located and booked a 20-year-old man and 23-year-old woman on suspicion of two counts of robbery, she said.

“We cannot thank the community enough for the hard work that everybody does every single day to keep Wichita safe,” Woodrow said. “Because of the trust our community has in us, citizens will keep coming forward and identifying these criminals.”

On Monday, a man approached a 48-year-old woman in the parking lot of Dillons at 21st and Maize Road, police have said. After pointing a gun at her, he took her purse and left in the Santa Fe, which was driven by a woman.

A few minutes later, another report came from the parking lot of the Wal-Mart, across Maize Road from Dillons. A 45-year-old woman reported that a man lifted his shirt to reveal a gun and then told her to give him her purse, police have said. She screamed and ran toward the store, and the man fled the scene, police have said.

Anyone with information about any crime can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111, or they can call 911 and have an officer come out if they want, Woodrow said.

“Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, just try to be the best witness possible and get the best description possible,” Woodrow said.

This story was originally published June 23, 2016 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Resident’s call leads police to NewMarket Square purse-snatchers."