LA MESA, Calif. - La Mesa police were on the lookout Monday for a gunman who robbed a woman of her purse.

The woman and her husband had just parked their car in the 7400 block of Mohawk Street when the robbery occurred at about 10:40 p.m. on Sunday, according to a La Mesa police statement.

As the woman was exiting the vehicle she was allegedly grabbed from behind and the purse was taken off her shoulder. Her husband, who was still in the vehicle when his wife was grabbed, got out of the car and attempted to confront the robber, police said.

The robber then allegedly pulled out a small black revolver and pointed it at the couple before fleeing with the purse.

"The victim and husband, fearing for their life, did not pursue the suspect," police said.

Police described the gunman as black, around 25 years old, 5 feet 8 and 185 pounds. He wore dark jeans and a light gray hooded sweatshirt, police said.