Elderly woman forgives her attacker after she was robbed at Little Rock Sam's Club

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A 78-year-old woman attacked and robbed in a Sam's Club parking lot in Little Rock says she is counting her blessings.

Crystal Wood was loading groceries into her car at Sam's Club on Bowman Rd. around 2 p.m. Sunday when she noticed a man wearing camouflage walking in her direction.

"As I put my paper towels up, he grabbed me in a bear-hug with his hands just above my elbows and pulled in," she said.

An incident report says the suspect then pushed her down and grabbed her purse before fleeing to a car and took off.

Wood says strangers immediately came to her rescue and called police.

"It was crowded, but they were asking me what they can do to help," she said.

Despite being out more than $100 and a cell phone, Wood feels lucky she wasn't seriously injured.

She says she hopes her attacker thinks twice before striking again.

"I just want him to know I believe there is a good person in there," she said. "I hope he can find that good person."

Police believe the suspect made away in a 1999 Silver Chevy pickup truck. Officers are in the process of tracking down all leads hoping to make an arrest soon.

In 2019, Little Rock police say they responded to 225 robberies.

Officers remind residents to always be aware of your surroundings, limit the amount of bags you carry and call the police if you see anything suspicious.