"He scarpered out of there."
Driving on to avoid a traffic jam, the couple backed around and asked the woman if she was missing anything.
Her handbag was gone. So Mr Bushett drove around looking for the thief but was unable to find him or the missing handbag, he said.
The elderly woman was devastated, he told The Daily Post.
"She was in shock. Her whole life was in that handbag. She said she had medicine and make-up, credit cards and cheques and a small amount of cash in it. For her, though, it would have been a huge amount."
Mr Bushett is appalled by the behaviour of the thief who he described as about 152cm tall, of slim build with dark to greying hair, of Maori descent and in his late 40s.
"He's a predator. He sat in wait for his chance. He's the lowest of the low as far as I'm concerned. He's a selfish person who looks for any opportunity without any thought for the person he is stealing from or their circumstances. I hope they catch him."
Police were called.
Rotorua police Sergeant Nicky Riordan said police were still investigating and no one had been arrested but it was a timely reminder to people to stay vigilant by carrying valuables on them or keeping them out of sight when placing them in their vehicles.
