Maybe it’s random, maybe it’s a piece of string: Over four days recently, unidentified thieves snatched four purses from four Tacoma women.

Coincidence? Tacoma police wonder. Three victims were seniors who came home late. They were robbed on their doorsteps, according to police reports.

First incident – Oct. 11, 10:08 p.m., 4300 block of South J Street:

Victim, a 73-year-old woman, returns from an evening out with a friend. She opens her front door and takes four or five steps. Someone darts in behind her, snatches her purse, and runs to a small car parked nearby. The car drives away.

The woman told police the car was small and black. A witness saw the robber hiding behind a tree moments before the incident. The victim and witness described the thief as a 20-to-30-year-old black man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
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