Toledo police need tips on 2 robberies near mall

1/3/2009

Toledo police are seeking information about two robberies Dec. 20 near Westfield Franklin Park during which the assailants assaulted the victims and then stole their purses, authorities said.

Two teenagers were assaulted as they walked through the mall parking lot near Dick's Sporting Goods at about 9:57 p.m. by two women in their 20s.

The women attackers, who drove up behind the victims, swung what appeared to be metal pipes at the teens, striking one on the arm and the other on the forehead.

The assailants stole the teens' purses and purchases, then drove off, police said.

Shortly after that attack, a 35-year-old woman reported being confronted by two women as she loaded her purchases and her 3-year-old daughter into her vehicle at about 10 p.m. in the lot at Kohl's, 4865 Monroe St.

The victim told police that a woman in her 20s approached and tried to snatch her purse.

The victim struggled with the woman when a second assailant approached her from behind and struck her head with an unknown object, causing a wound. The assailants ran when the victim set off her car's panic alarm.

The assailants are described as black females who are approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall. One was thought to weigh about 130 pounds while the other weighs about 170 pounds, police said.

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to call Crime Stopper. Callers could be eligible for a cash reward.