HAVERHILL — The robber may have taken her purse, but this victim was determined he wasn't going to get away.

She followed him and gathered key information — and police said they expect to catch him thanks to her efforts.

Police said a 57-year-old Haverhill woman was walking to her car from the Social Security office at 367 Main St. on Tuesday afternoon when a man walked up to her.

"Excuse me, ma'am,'' the man said before striking her in the nose with the palm of his hand, causing her to bleed heavily, police said.

The woman, who police declined to identify, said she had her purse strap on her shoulder. The robber pulled the purse several times very hard until the strap broke, police said. He ran up Fountain Street with the purse, police said.

The victim got into her car and followed the man up Fountain Street, where he got into a waiting car that appeared to have two other people in it, police Capt. Alan Ratte said.

Ratte said the victim continued driving, following the other car up Fountain Street, left onto Howard Street, and left again onto Lawrence Street. The woman was able to get the license plate number of the car and gave it to police, Ratte said.

After getting the license plate number, the woman drove to Merrimack Valley Hospital for treatment of her injury.

The purse contained retirement papers, personal papers, and credit cards, but no cash, Ratte said. He said the robber's assault was vicious.

"It was a violent one," he said.

The attacker was described as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall, 25 to 30 years old with a thin build and short brown hair. There was no description of the clothing, Ratte said.

He said Detective Glen Fogarty is investigating.

"He has some strong leads and arrests will be made," Ratte said.

He said anyone who may have witnessed the robbery is asked to call Fogarty at 978-373-1212.

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