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Berkeley police are searching for a woman they believe is responsible for a strong-armed robbery late Thursday night. 

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. in the 2600 block of Regent Street, according to Police Lt. Russell Lopes. Two women were walking along and were approached by two other pedestrians. The female pedestrian suddenly accosted one of the women and attempted to steal her purse. During the struggle, the suspect managed to rip the purse away from the victim. The suspect, accompanied by a man, immediately fled the scene. 

The victim was able to call police right away, and a nearby officer tracked down the two suspects. As the officer was taking the man – 27-year-old Jesus Dickey – into custody, the female suspect managed to escape, and police were unable to locate her. 

Lopes identified the female suspect as 21-year-old Mukuta Francine Muanza, who apparently has had run-ins with the police department before. She is described as a black woman, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds. She was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, according to witnesses. 

Neither suspect has a permanent place of residence, Lopes said. 

Dickey was arrested on a charge of robbery. Muanza is being sought on the robbery charge and a $5,000 warrant for a prior misdemeanor arrest. 

The victim’s purse was recovered, Lopes said.