The victim, Dia Lor, was by herself, putting items in the trunk of a car when a suspect jumped out a stolen Hyundai Elantra. Surveillance cameras recorded the disturbing ambush as a prowler pounced on Lor.

"He came up from behind me and everything happened so quick," she told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

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The suspect was seen on video as he grabbed Lor's purse, then punched, slammed and dragged her with the stolen getaway car for 75 yards through the parking lot. With the help of her nephew to translate, Lor said, "all I know is if I hold onto it longer the car could possibly run me over or I could possibly be injured elsewhere so I let go."

Through tears, Lor said the muggers made off with her purse and all of the cash she'd saved for Christmas gifts.

"We've had more than 20 cases that similar to the ones last Sunday," said St. Paul Police Spokesman Steve Linders.

Maplewood police warn residents of purse snatching incidents

Authorities put together a list of other purse snatchings with scary similarities: the crooks, driving stolen cars, target unsuspecting women, who are alone, outside of various retail stores through St. Paul since Nov. 20th.

"The suspects have hit them, using fists and have threatened to shoot them, they've certainly intimated they had a gun on them," replied Linders.

Police said it is believed the suspects are between the ages of 15 and 30, and use hats or sweatshirt hoods to conceal their identities.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Paul Police Department at 651-266-5650.