Police: Armed robber snatches woman’s purse in parking lot

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Police say an armed robber’s gun accidentally went off inside an apartment he forced his way into last night when he hit a victim in the head with the weapon.

Wilmington Police say it all started when man approached a woman walking in the parking lot of 4017 Wilshire Blvd. around 8 p.m. Thursday. That’s where officers say the man snatched the woman’s purse after asking where she was going.

Police say when the woman continued walking to her friend’s apartment where she was heading before, she noticed that the man was following her. Officers say when the woman’s friend opened the door to his apartment to let her in, the robber pushed his way inside and demanded money.

They say the man inside the apartment started fighting the robber, who then pulled out a gun. Police say the robber then hit the man in the head with the gun, causing it to discharge. Officers say no one was hit by the bullet.

Police are still searching for the suspect, who they say is a black man in his late 30s, who is about 5’10” tall.