A Christmas Day robbery in Westminster was foiled when a woman pepper-sprayed a gunman who was demanding her handbag, police say

WESTMINSTER, Calif. (KABC) — A woman out walking in Westminster on Christmas morning foiled a robbery when she pepper-sprayed a man who was pointing a gun at her, police said.

Westminster Police said the attempted armed robbery occurred in the area of ​​Bushard Street and England Avenue early Sunday.

The woman was walking when a man on a bicycle approached her, pointed a gun and demanded her purse.

Not wanting to give up her belongings, she used pepper spray on the man to ward him off.

“Fortunately, the suspect did not shoot the victim and instead fled the scene on his bicycle,” police said.

Officers were unable to locate the suspect when they arrived at the scene and police are now asking the public to help identify him.

Police describe the suspect as a man in his 30s with a slim build, chiseled face and a pointed nose. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and wore a black cap, black jacket with lettering, black pants and a backpack.

The bike was described as teal.

Anyone with information about this can contact police at (714) 548-3767 or (714) 548-3773.