Austin police are looking for a robber who viciously punched a woman, then took off with her purse.
The corner of Merri Gale's upper lip is being held together with stitches. Her right eye is yellow and purple. Some of her teeth are loose and will likely have to be replaced.
"I think I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Gale.
Gale may not remember what happened, but a surveillance camera positioned outside of the Liberty Bar on East 6th Street captured everything.
Gale can be seen walking in the video, wearing a white dress. Suddenly, a man walked up behind her and punched her in the face. She fell to the ground, unconscious. He jerked her limp body around to pull the purse off her arm.
Gale watched the video for the first time Wednesday at Austin police headquarters as KVUE's cameras were rolling. What she saw made her angry.
"It takes a coward to hit somebody from behind, not even give them the chance to defend themselves," Gale said.
The bar owner had just installed the camera six weeks ago in case this sort of thing happened.
Detective Derek Israel says he has never seen the man in the video before. The method of operation is also unheard of.
"It's unnecessarily brutal. It's not even, robbery itself is a violent crime. But there are different levels even within that," Israel said. "It was brazen. It was out in a public place. The robber didn't seem to care who saw it. Giving the level of violence used as unnecessary as it was, was shocking."
The robber is described as a white or Hispanic man in his late teens or early 20s with short, brown hair. He is 5'9" and 170 pounds. He was wearing a black tank top, blue and white plaid shorts, a white shirt, and blue shoes.
If you have information about this case call the robbery tip line at 512-974-5270, Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES.
