Police seek purse-snatcher who seriously injured woman

Philly police are seeking a brute who attacked a woman from behind in Bella Vista, hitting her so hard with an unknown object that she needed 100 stitches to close the wound.

The 23-year-old woman was walking on Ninth Street near Fitzwater at 4:05 a.m. when the thug pounced, police said. He hit her, stole her purse and then fled north on Ninth Street and then east on Fitzwater. Police later found the victim's purse discarded in a small alley at 800 Kenilworth Street.

The attacker is described as white and thin. He wore a white hooded sweatshirt with an emblem on left side of hood, black pants and dark-colored shoes. Anyone who knows about this incident or recognizes the mugger should call 9-1-1 or call Det. Ruth in South Detectives at (215) 686-3013 or -3014.

See surveillance video of the attack below.