Strathfield: Woman hospitalised after brazen handbag robbery

A woman remains in hospital with head injuries after a frantic scene in Strathfield on Sunday when a man allegedly walked inside a cafe and stole a woman’s handbag.

Police are looking for a man who allegedly stole an elderly woman’s handbag in a brazen theft inside a Strathfield cafe at the weekend.

The incident saw one woman, aged 65, allegedly dragged across the floor as she attempted to cling onto the bag as the man tried to leave the cafe on Albert Rd.

Another woman, 78, was then allegedly knocked to the ground in the process and hit her head as the man ran into the street.

A man police wish to speak to. Picture: NSW Police

Police said the man approached a group of women sitting inside the cafe when he allegedly picked up one of their handbags and placed it into his backpack.

Multiple other customers attempted to intervene to stop him leaving before he was able to flee in the chaos, police said.

The 78-year-old woman remains in Concord Hospital with head injuries after spending a night in the emergency department.

He got on a Penrith-bound train. Picture: NSW Police

And got off at Rooty Hill. Picture: NSW Police

Police are appealing for anyone to come forward who may know a man pictured in CCTV images near the scene about 12.45pm on Sunday.

He is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, around 40 years old and was wearing a white shirt, grey shorts and trainers at the time.

His shirt allegedly came off during the struggle at the cafe and police believe he boarded a Penrith-bound train at Strathfield station before getting off at Rooty Hill.

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