By Billy Davis

A woman was robbed of her purse Sunday morning in the parking lot at Batesville’s First Baptist Church.

The victim had exited her automobile behind the church when she was robbed shortly after nine o’clock, said Police Chief Tony Jones.

Police described the robber as a black male wearing a green shirt and blue jeans.

The theft is considered a strong-arm robbery, a felony, he said.

The chief said police have not found any eyewitnesses to the crime.

Sunday’s purse snatching followed the theft of a purse on December 23 from an automobile.

Police reported the victim was returning movies in the return slot at Movie Gallery when a black male reached into her vehicle and grabbed her purse.

“She saw him lean into her car and grab the purse, and yelled at him to stop,” Jones said.

The victim said the thief escaped in a late-model Pontiac Grand Prix, according to the police chief.

Anyone with information about the robberies can contact police at 563-5653.