Woman robbed of purse while waiting with flat tire

YOUNGSTOWN — A woman who pulled off Mahoning Avenue with a flat tire was robbed of her purse as she sat waiting for her son to arrive and fix the tire, police said.

The 40-year-old North Dunlap Avenue woman told police she had pulled into the parking lot of a tire shop near West Avenue around 10:20 p.m. Monday when a man approached and she lowered her window to speak to him. He told her the tire store was closed and then stuck a large bladed knife through the crack in the window and demanded money, reports show.

The scared woman thought about getting out the passenger side but when he ran to that side she threw her purse to him. The man fled on foot and then got into a red older model car. The woman’s son arrived shortly after the robbery and pursued the man north on West Avenue but lost sight of the car in Mill Creek Park. The purse contained new makeup, cash and credit cards.