Police Search for Purse Snatchers Who Struck in East Meadow

The hunt is on for two men who have gone on a purse-snatching spree in East Meadow and nearby towns over the past month, police said Friday.

At a press conference Friday morning, Det. Lt. Kevin Smith said the recent pattern of attacks suggests that two men are preying on people they deem "vulnerable targets," oftentimes elderly women.

The men have been robbing female victims as they exit their vehicles in their residential driveways, police said.  The thieves struck on Marlboro Street in East Meadow on Nov. 7 at 8:44 p.m.

In all, seven women have been robbed since Oct. 23 in East Meadow, Wantagh, Merrick, Baldwin and Levittown. 

The robbers are described as black men; one about 20 years old, between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-6, with a thin build and wearing dark clothing.  The other man is described as between 20-25 years old, between 6-foot and 6-foot-2, with a medium build and wearing dark clothing. 

Smith urged residents to use extra caution when walking outside, especially when coming out of a school or leaving a train station.

"Try to be more vigilant about what's going on behind you," he said.

Police are asking anyone with information on the purse snatches to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477) or Nassau County's Robbery Squad at 516-573-8044.  Police are offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the robbers.