By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A Centralia woman fought off a knife-wielding purse snatcher who confronted her when she pulled into the driveway of her home last night, according to police.
Officers were called just before 10 p.m. to the 1000 block of Alder Street and conducted a search with a police dog but didn’t find the male subject, Officer John Panco said this morning.
There was no indication in the police report either the 45-year-old woman or her attacker were hurt, he said.
Panco said he confronted her as she exited her vehicle, put a knife to her chest or neck and demanded her purse.
“At first, she thought it was a joke,” Panco said.
The woman grabbed the knife or his hand, they fought a little bit, going to the ground and he got up and took off, with the purse, according to Panco.
The male was described as wearing a gray or brown “hoodie” and she thought he was about 5-feet 7-inches tall, Panco said.
The search did lead to possible suspects, but no arrest has been made, according to police.
Panco said he didn’t know if the woman chose to fight to try to keep her purse or to defend herself from the knife.
“We never ever recommend putting yourself in a position where you’re going to get hurt, but people react differently in different situations,” he said.