Toronto Police have released surveillance video that shows the violent assault and attempted robbery of a woman in a downtown parking garage.
It happened at about 6:30 p.m. last Friday inside a parking garage near Bay St and College St.
The woman was followed into the garage by a man who grabbed hold of the purse on her shoulder.
The video shows the man and woman each tugging on the purse before the woman was flung to the ground, still holding on. Police say the woman was assaulted and at some point her attacker sprayed her with some sort of substance. The pair continues to struggle over the purse as the man drags the woman toward the parking garage's exit.
Police say it was a passerby who stopped the violence. They have shared surveillance images of the suspect in the hopes of finding him.
Toronto Police handout
Constable Caroline de Kloet says the victim was taken to hospital with bruising to her face and neck including a black eye.
Anyone with information is asked to call Toronto Police at 416-808-5200 or to contact Crime Stoppers.