Search continues for Shockoe robbery suspect

Richmond police were searching yesterday for a 22-year-old man in Thursday afternoon's beating and robbery of a 76-year-old woman in the parking lot of a Shockoe Bottom grocery store.

Police said Lynell Alexander Jr. of Henrico County was wanted for questioning.

Capt. Scott Booth said the woman was treated at VCU Medical Center for a head laceration after the 3:10 p.m. attack in the front lot of The Market at Tobacco Row.

Based on information from witnesses and evidence later recovered by police, authorities developed what police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh yesterday afternoon called "a strong suspect in this case. We're interviewing witnesses and following all leads, and the investigation is ongoing."

Booth said the woman had just finished shopping for groceries at the store in the 2300 block of East Main Street and was walking to her car when a man approached and demanded her purse.

When the woman resisted, a struggle followed and the woman was struck on the head with a hard object, Booth said, adding that the man ran to a car and drove from the scene.

Based on information from witnesses at the store, police found what they believed to be the getaway vehicle and the suspect, and they began a short pursuit, but officers quickly cut it off because of concerns about speed.

Booth said the vehicle used in the pursuit was recovered later Thursday, as was the woman's purse.

Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or .

Staff writer Reed Williams contributed to this report.