An elderly woman was knocked unconscious when a thief stole her daughter's handbag in Auckland earlier today.

The 66-year-old victim tried to intervene when the robber reached for her daughter's handbag on Great South Road, Manurewa at 11:20am

A brief struggle ensued and the woman was knocked to the ground, banging her head.

The thief, who was wearing black gloves and a long dark jacket, fled the scene in a stolen silver Mazda MPV which has since been recovered by police.

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The victim was taken to Middlemore hospital and is in a stable condition.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to
contact the Counties Manukau Police.

-Herald Online