Persons of interest sought after purse-snatching

SEMMES, Ala. (WALA) - UPDATE: The Mobile County Sheriff's Office said Phillip Juane Gaines is suspect in the alleged purse theft that took place in a Semmes parking lot Saturday, August 18.  Deputies said they believe Gaines may be armed and dangerous. They said he has been seen drivingn a blue Ford Escape with an Alabama license plate, tag number 2A81R36.

A night out with friends took a turn for the worst for two area couples who ended up staring down the barrel of a gun.

The robbery happened in a Semmes parking lot off of Moffett Road on Saturday, August 18. Mobile County Sheriff's Office has asked for the public’s help tracking down the gunmen.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office said the group was leaving the Beef O'Brady's restaurant when they were confronted by an armed robber.

In a phone interview, one victim said she was still shaken from the whole thing. The woman said a man pulled up in a white SUV and pulled a gun on her and a friend.

She said, "He jumped out of his car, pointed the gun and screamed at us, ‘Throw me your purse.’"

The woman says she complied, but the man continued to scream. She said her friend "was in shock and did not throw her purse." The woman said that’s when the armed robber pulled the trigger of his gun, but the .50 caliber handgun was jammed. He pulled it again, this time pointed straight for her friend's husband, who had come to their aid.

Still, the gun didn’t fire.

The victim said the third time the bandit pulled the trigger the gun exploded.

"I'm thinking he has shot someone," said the victim, noticeably choking up. "I am thinking why is he doing this? Why? That's all you can think. I thank God we are safe. His band of angels was watching over us.”

No one was hit when the gun was fired; the bullet hit the asphalt.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office has identified two persons of interest in this case. They were caught on tape using the victim’s stolen credit cards. The victim says someone has used every one of her cards.

She said, “He swiped the cards at a liquor store, gas station and to rent videos."

Deputies said the cards were used at stores on Grelot, Knollwood and Hillcrest Roads in Mobile.

Lori Myles with the sheriff's office said a woman seen in one the pictures is wanted, too.

"We're looking for her and we’re looking for him. If you know anything associated with these two, or their two vehicles, a white SUV and a Ford Escape, let us know," said Myles.

The victim said, since the frightening ordeal, she hasn't slept much and she's constantly looking over her shoulder. Yet she reminds herself that there are good people left in this world.

"Not everyone is like that. I feel sorry for him; because I know he has a family, a mother that gave birth to him. He needs to get it together. That is not the right way to do things," said the woman.

The Sheriff's Office is also working on getting surveillance video of the incident. It’s the second time in as many weeks that violence has broken out in the shopping center.

On August 14, two people were arrested for assault for stabbing two others. The victims had come to the aid of a preacher who authorities say the suspects were harassing.