Robbers in Car Drag Victim, Run Over Her
A south Los Angeles woman was dragged for almost a block before being run over when robbers in the Wilshire area pulled her partly into their car while trying to steal her purse, authorities said Thursday.
Maria Orbelina Martinez, 28, suffered massive head injuries and fractured ribs in the Wednesday night incident, Los Angeles Police Detective Lester Slack said. Martinez was listed in critical condition Thursday at UCLA Medical Center, hospital officials said.
Martinez, who was on her way home after visiting friends, was waiting for a bus at Cambridge Street and Normandie Avenue about 5:30 p.m. when a mustard-colored car drove up to the curb and a passenger grabbed Martinez’s purse, Detective Dan Andrews said.
She tried to tug the purse back but was pulled partially into the moving car through an open window, with the rest of her body dragging on the ground, Andrews said. After Martinez either fell or was pushed out, the car ran over her head and torso then sped west on Venice Boulevard.
Police were seeking the driver and his alleged accomplice.
The car was described as a 1980 to 1985 model Cadillac or Oldsmobile sedan with a missing rear license plate.
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