Update: ASU Girl Dragged by Car Tangled in Purse; Suspect Still at Large

Categories: News

chrysler.jpg
Tempe Police Department
This is a car similar to the one driven by the "heavy-set Hispanic male" who tried to rob 21-year-old Kyleigh Sousa.
​Since our post yesterday morning, the Tempe Police Department got back to us to clarify an incident involving a 21-year-old ASU student who was dragged by a car after the driver of the vehicle tried to steal her purse.

About 2 a.m. yesterday, Tempe police responded to a call that a female had been run over near the International House of Pancakes on Apache Boulevard in Tempe.

Police say the victim, 21-year-old Kyleigh Ann Sousa, was approached by a heavy-set Hispanic male in a newer model, silver Chrysler 300.

The suspect, police say, grabbed the girl's purse and tried to drive away

Several Valley news outlets, including New Times, reported the incident based on a press briefing released by the Tempe Police Department, which said Sousa "who was holding on to her purse and the suspect vehicle was drug for a short distance prior to the suspect fleeing the scene" [sic].

Fox 10 even ran a news teaser last night saying "an ASU student was mugged but she wouldn't let go of her purse and it nearly cost her her life." 

We contacted the Tempe Police Department yesterday prior to running the story to get more details about the incident but our call was not returned until last night.

Tempe Police Sergeant Steve Carbajal says while the press release says Sousa was holding on to her purse, in reality, she was tangled in the bag's handle when the suspect drove off, which is why she couldn't just let go of the bag.

Sousa was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition as of yesterday. Her current condition is unknown.

The suspect is still at large and Carbajal says the Tempe Police Department is committed to finding him and wants the public's help.

Anyone with any information that could help police track down the suspect is asked to call 480-350-8311. 

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