TYLER (KYTX) -- Police are looking for an armed purse snatcher for the second time in three weeks.
Both attacks targeted women with purses who were walking alone on the East Texas Medical Center hospital campus late at night. The first time it was near a parking garage, and all the robber did was knock the woman down.
Monday night police say he stabbed his victim and he did it right at the main entrance.
Surveillance video shot just minutes before Monday night's attack shows the man police say robbed and stabbed a hospital employee. He's in ETMC's main lobby sitting, walking around and then heading deeper into the hospital.
"It looks like he's waiting for a victim," Tyler Police Detective Doyle Lynch said. He said the man in the video later stabbed an employee, apparently because he wanted her purse.
It's oddly similar to an incident three weeks ago, where a robber came up to another woman near the ETMC parking garage, threatened her with a weapon, knocked her over and stole her purse. But police aren't ready to say it's the same guy.
"Officers will review all the cases they've had recently,' Lynch said. "They'll contact other agencies also."
"I'm just in shock," Mary Kaye Royal said. Royal's husband is in the hospital, so she comes and goes a lot. "I don't come out here with my purse, though, for sure. I leave it in my room."
Monday night she walked her daughter to her car and came back alone near the time of the attack. She and other women on the property Tuesday told us they hoped the hospital stepped up security.
In both attacks, police are looking for a black man who's 5'8" or 5'9" with a slim build. Both times he was wearing dark pants and a dark hoodie. Monday night he was wearing a bright red shirt under the hoodie.
ETMC V.P. of Operations Art Chance released the following statement about security procedures:
East Texas Medical Center Tyler is taking steps to increase its level of on-campus security, including the immediate deployment of more security staff members.
With recent events, the security department has also evaluated on-campus security associated with cameras and lighting. To that end, we have made improvements to our overall system and will continue to upgrade our security technology. In both incidents that occurred recently, clear video images of the assailant were obtained, which are assisting law enforcement investigations.
Maintaining a safe environment requires that everyone remain vigilant and on guard. Employees and visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times and report any suspicious individuals loitering on campus. ETMC security escorts to and from vehicles are available to anyone on request.
Anyone wishing to report a suspicious individual may contact the ETMC security department at 903-531-8800 or call the Tyler Police Department.
