Police are searching for two men in a blue 1990 Ford Ranger pickup truck who allegedly stole the purse of a woman in the Freedom Village Shopping Center after trying to steal two cases of beer from a Liberty Road restaurant on Sunday.

Officers said two men were observed as they attempted to take the beer from the rear of Ya Ya's Restaurant on Route 26 near Klees Mill Road about 3 p.m., but were frightened off by an employee who was able to get the license number of the truck.

About 5 p.m., a woman walking in the shopping center was robbed of her purse by a man who approached from behind, snatched the bag and fled to a waiting truck. Witnesses obtained the license number of the truck and it matched the number in the earlier theft attempt, police said.

Troopers attempted to locate the owner of the truck on Sunday, but said he was not home. The investigation is continuing.

POLICE

* Sykesville: An official of Liberty High School told state police someone broke into the school between 12:30 a.m. and 3:50 a.m. Wednesday by using a pry bar and breaking windows of the cafeteria and several classrooms. The damage is estimated at $400.