ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Imagine pumping gas, and someone slides into your car, attempting to steal your belongings or even the car itself. These crimes have become persistent, and the latest victim is a north county woman.

Tammy Robinson, who was on a church group Zoom call, stepped out to pump gas at a QuikTrip when a man wearing a ski mask slipped into her car around 6:45 p.m. Sunday. But thanks to quick-thinking bystanders, the potential thief was scared off.

“One was a bystander, and one was the worker, came running towards me, asking if I had my purse. I looked shocked at first because it took me aback…I wasn’t sure what they were talking about. I opened the door a little bit more, and they literally started telling me that someone was in my car and basically thought they had took my purse,” Robinson said.

The suspect was able to open the door, despite Robinson having her key fob with her because she was so close to the vehicle. Surveillance footage captured the entire incident.

“(Video) showed that the car basically backed up so they were parallel with me at first, then they backed up a few feet. One of the gentlemen in the car got out, kind of stooped down really, really low. Had on a ski mask and opened my passenger side door, and they we’re trying to get something–I’m assuming that my purse,” Robinson added. 

Luckily, Robinson had her purse while pumping gas. Hazelwood Police confirmed that they have seen several incidents of similar crimes take place, where citizens leave their cars unlocked and thieves have taken and attempted to take purses, belongings, or sometimes the vehicle.

Robinson stated that she did not see the two suspects responsible, and they are still on the loose in a dark Honda or Hyundai car.