COVINGTON, Ga. — Covington police are offering a $10,000 reward in their search for a man who stole a woman's purse, then ran over her and killed her.
According to police, the victim, 65-year-old Marsha Johnson, had just finished shopping at Walmart on Industrial Boulevard around 7:45 p.m. Monday when the man approached her and stole her purse.
Police said she fought back and eventually fell to the ground.
“Once he got in his vehicle, her being in front of her vehicle, he took off in the vehicle, trapping her in front of the car. He proceeded to drive over the victim and had to back up because he could not get his vehicle out,” Capt. Craig Treadwell of the Covington Police Department said.
Police said a witness tried to block the driver in, smashing his door, but that did not stop him.
Witnesses described the driver as a large Hispanic male in his 30s with a goatee. They said he had a Hispanic female passenger.
Investigators said the man was driving a late-1990s model silver or light gray Honda Accord. They said the car should have damage to the driver's side door from where the witness tried to stop him.
"We are seeking all available help from the public. We know the vehicle may have a drive out tag or out-of-state tag as best as we can tell from the video," Treadwell said.
The victim’s niece said the man did not have to take a thing.
"This woman would give you the shirt off her," Jamie Johnson said. "He grabbed her and threw her on the ground, and she didn't deserve to die like that."
Marsha Johnson’s nephew said he had just talked to his aunt on Monday.
"This is bad. I can't believe people do something like that, you know. For a purse… for a purse, it's awful," Wade Johnson said.
Police said they are working on several leads, but are still asking for help locating the Honda Accord.
WSBTV
