Purse-snatching thief at large

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for the crook responsible for roughing up and robbing an elderly woman.

The purse snatching occurred at a condo community in Lauderdale Lakes, Saturday.

The condominium recently installed surveillance cameras for the safety of its residents, and the cameras were rolling as Barbara Nadeau carried her groceries inside the lobby. "I came around this way, walked around here like this with my groceries," she said.

Nadeau was approached by a man who walked up to her and snatched her purse. "He just took my purse, yanked it off me, and threw me to the ground," she said.

Nadeau was left with several injuries. "I hurt my back, my arms, my wrist, my hands," she said. "When he threw me to the ground, I was yelling, 'Help me! Help me!' and my neighbor nicely came out the door and said, 'What's going on?' and I said, 'Help, I've been attacked.'"

The suspect took off, and was captured on camera sprinting away from the scene. He remains at large.

Nadeau is still shaken up about the incident. She said, "I'm very nervous still. I look over my shoulder, I look out the door to see if anybody's coming, and my husband meets me when I come home now because I just can't get over it."

If you have any information on the suspect or his whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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