A man trying to steal a woman's purse dragged her 20 feet through a Long Reach Village Center gas station parking lot over the weekend, Howard County police said.

About noon Saturday, the man -- described as a black male between 35 and 40, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a dark jacket and sneakers -- wrestled the woman's purse away, police said.

The victim, whom police did not immediately identify, was not injured.

Last week, police reported a similar incident in Long Reach, during which an unknown assailant struck a woman in the back of her head, knocked her unconscious and then stole her purse.

Police were not sure whether the two assaults were related.

Pub Date: 10/13/98