Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 21, 1995                   TAG: 9511210076
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: VIRGINIA   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SUSPECT IN THEFT MAKES THREATS WITH KNIFE, FLEES

At about 6 p.m., J.C. Penney's loss prevention officer saw two men and a woman place clothing inside a bag while they were in the store, police said. When the loss prevention officer and store manager approached the suspects, they ran from the store and into the parking lot.

When they caught up to the woman, she pulled a knife and threatened to kill them, according to police. A scuffle ensued, and the woman escaped in a car driven by one of the men. Police said witnesses told them the car was Burgundy and had out-of-state license plates.

The woman lost her purse during the scuffle, enabling police to obtain her identification. Police would not release her name. No injuries were reported.

In another incident over the weekend, a woman who parked near a Northwest Roanoke business was mugged early Sunday morning. She was not injured.

At about 9:35, Gail Arthur, 50, was getting out of her car in the 1300 block of Towne Square Boulevard when a man man hit her in the back and took her purse, police said.

The mugger then fled into a business. He took off his cap and jacket and left them inside the store before fleeing through a rear door. He was chased by an employee from a neighboring store, but escaped, police said.