A culprit's intended victim put up more of a fight than he bargained for during a purse snatching attempt in Harewood Friday.
The incident happened near the intersection of Foster Street and Bruce Avenue at about 4 p.m. when the suspect tried to grab the 20-year-old woman's purse. When she put up a fight, the suspect pulled down her pants to distract her in an attempt to break loose from the struggle.
"She continues to fight and she pushes him to the ground," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. "So he runs off and she actually chases him."
A male bystander, whose seven-year-old son altered him to the altercation, also joined in the chase, but he and the victim weren't able to catch up with the fleeing suspect.
The bystander drove the victim to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment to give her statement to police.
Police patrols of the area failed to locate the suspect.
No one was hurt in the robbery attempt.
Police are still looking for the suspect who is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-11, 140 pounds, long dirty blond hair tied back in a pony tail.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.