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SF Purse-Snatching Victim Hospitalized With Life-Threatening Injuries

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - An elderly woman has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after she was attacked by a purse snatcher Wednesday in the Western Addition, San Francisco police said.

The 71-year-old victim suffered brain bleeding, contusions and lacerations on her face from being punched as she tried to fight off her attacker, said Sgt. Eric O'Neal.

The man fled with the purse, and the woman went to a nearby school to get help, O'Neal said.

The attack happened near the corner of McAllister and Webster streets around 5:30 p.m.

"Investigators will be canvassing for any possible witnesses that may have seen the incident. They will also be canvassing the area to see, was there any possible camera surveillance video that may have captured the incident," O'Neal said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Francisco Police Department.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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