WILKES-BARRE, PA — City police are investigating a strong-arm robbery that occurred late Tuesday night in a residential neighborhood. A 25-year-old woman reported to officers that she was walking near 144 Academy Street just before midnight when an unknown man ran across the street and intercepted her.
The suspect demanded the woman's purse and threatened to shoot her if she did not comply. While the man made explicit threats of violence, the victim told investigators that a gun was not seen during the encounter. Fearing that the suspect might be armed, the woman surrendered her purse.
The assailant fled the scene on foot, heading westbound on Academy Street. Officers searched the area immediately following the report, but the suspect remains at large. Police are currently reviewing the case and have not yet released a description of the man.