Petrol station purse-snatcher

A Lynfield resident was shaken after her car was robbed yesterday morning at a petrol station while her daughter was inside the vehicle.

The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she yelled at the man, causing him to flee into a waiting car with her handbag.

She said her young daughter was in the car when the thief jumped in.

“Thank goodness he didn’t have time to take the whole car, or my keys and cellphone.”

The Hillsborough Road Z service station has provided CCTV footage to police, but the resident said the car’s number plates were reported stolen.

“Thieves are often optimistic,” a police spokesperson said.

“Police would encourage anyone who gets out of their vehicle even for a short time to lock their doors, and try to avoid having valuables in view.”

Police say inquiries into the theft are ongoing.