MIDLAND Detectives have called for information about two mugging incidents that happened in Bassendean on the same day that they believe could be linked.
The first occurred at 4pm on Whitfield Street, near Old Perth Road, on October 21.
A middle-aged woman was approached by a man on a bicycle who snatched her handbag off her.
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READ NOWHe rode off towards Old Perth Road but was followed in a car by a passer-by who saw the incident.
The man threw the bag into a bush and the witness recovered the handbag, but the victim did not report the crime to police.
An hour later, a woman in her 50s was approached by a man on a bicycle after she got into her car.
The man got in via the passenger door and asked her for cigarettes.
He then grabbed her handbag, which was sitting on her knees.
When she refused to let go, he punched her several times in the face, then rode away.
He dropped the bag after being followed by a motorist again.
The offender is described as a dark-skinned teenage male, wearing a white baseball cap, a black long sleeve shirt and black pants. He was o a black and white mountain bike.
Anyone who witnessed these incidents or was involved should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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