Actress Kathy Bates’ Tires Cut, Purse Stolen

A thief slashed the tires of Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates and then stole her purse after she made a withdrawal from a downtown bank, police said.

“It appears someone intentionally punctured her tires and then offered to help her,” said police spokesman Jason Lee. “When she was distracted, the suspect stole her purse.”

Bates, 50, went to a bank near 6th Street and Citrus Avenue about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“As she was driving away, she noticed she had a flat tire,” Officer Mike Partain said. Bates used her cellular phone to call the Auto Club. While waiting for the tow truck, she was approached by a man who offered to help, Partain said.

“She declined,” Partain said. “When the tow truck arrived, she was distracted momentarily, and when she went to get her AAA card, she noticed her purse was missing, along with the good Samaritan.”

Police did not say how much money was in the purse.

Bates won a best actress Oscar for her role as Annie Wilkes in “Misery.” Her other films include “Swept From the Sea,” “Primary Colors,” “Titanic,” “Dolores Claiborne,” “Waterboy,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Prelude to a Kiss.”