By News Channel 3 and KESQ.com News Services
newsline3@kesq.com

DESERT HOT SPRINGS - A gang member accused of shooting at a man who tried to stop him from stealing a woman's purse was at large today, police said.

William Benjamin Washington, 19, is accused of "manhandling" a woman at a bus stop in the area of Palm and Ironwood drives around 7:30 a.m. Nov. 4, said Sgt. Dan Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

The sergeant said that when the woman refused to give him money, he wrestled her purse away from her.

A man decided to intervene and Washington allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired several rounds, but the man was not struck, according to Bressler.

Washington ran and police were unable to find him, he said. He is black, 5 feet 10 inches and 150 pounds, with tattoos on his arms that read "Lakresha," "Clay," "Solo the Champ" and "12th St. Hustler."

Anyone with information on Washington's whereabouts was asked to call Desert Hot Springs police at (760) 329-2904.