SAN DIEGO - A woman was injured Friday when a thief snatched her purse at a Mission Valley shopping center, authorities reported.

The crime at Westfield Mission Valley mall was reported about 1 p.m., according to San Diego police.

The thief fled in a white two-door car driven by a woman, SDPD public affairs Lt. Andra Brown said. The sedan was last seen heading west on Interstate 8.

Medics took the victim to a hospital to evaluate injuries. It was unclear how she was hurt, though one witness told officers the bandit's getaway car appeared to have sideswiped her.

A failed purse-snatch attempt about 15 minutes earlier at nearby Hazard Center mall was believed to have been committed by the same man, the lieutenant said.