Suspects sought in 2 armed robberies at Arcadia mall parking lot

ARCADIA, Calif. (KABC) -- Arcadia police are searching for suspects in connection to two armed robberies in the parking lot of the Westfield Santa Anita Mall.

A woman was allegedly robbed at gunpoint in a parking lot near Nordstrom in the 400 block of South Baldwin Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

The suspect, who was wearing a gray-hooded sweatshirt, allegedly pistol-whipped the woman with a black semi-automatic handgun and ran off with her purse and cellphone.

"The suspect tried to take her purse from her. When the victim kept the purse, she was struck on the head with the pistol. The suspect was ultimately able to recover the purse and flee to a waiting vehicle," Arcadia police Sgt. Brett Bourgeous said.

The suspect was described as a tall, skinny man. His getaway vehicle was described as a small silver or gray SUV.

A similar robbery occurred on Aug. 4 at about 10 p.m. in the south parking lot of the mall. Police say an armed suspect confronted a man and took his wallet and cellphone before running off with his accomplice.

The suspect was described as a black male in his 20s, standing around 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build and a bandana covering his face.

It's unclear if the two armed robberies are connected. Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151.