Troy Police are asking the public for their help in identifying a purse snatcher.

Just after 3 p.m. Thursday, police responded to the parking lot of Troy Market Place on U.S. Highway 231 and spoke with a victim who said she was walking out of a business when a slender black male pulled her purse away and took off running in the direction of Hillside Mobile Home Park.

Troy Fire also responded to aid the victim, but she was unharmed.

Police patrolmen and detectives set up a perimeter around the area where the suspect was believed to be, but were unable to find him Thursday afternoon.

The suspect is described as a slender black male in his late teens or early twenties who is between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall. He was last seen wearing blue silky looking shorts with a white T-shirt. The suspect was also described as having short hair and no facial hair.

Police ask for anyone with information related to the crime to call the Troy Police Department at 566-0500 or the Secret Witness line at 566-5555.