Largo police say woman stole from motorists, tried to run over one

LARGO — A woman who stole three purses and a backpack from motorists in a 24-hour span was arrested Tuesday after she tried to run over one of her victims, police said.

Anita Louise Rice, 54, was charged with three counts of burglary and one count each of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and petty theft.

According to arrest reports, here's what happened:

• About 7:45 p.m. Monday, Rice reached into a woman's car in Belleair Beach, grabbed her purse, then fled in a white sport utility vehicle.

• About 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, Rice approached a woman in Clearwater and asked her for directions. After the woman helped her, Rice asked for a hug, then reached into the woman's Chevy Malibu and stole her purse and its contents, including $165 in cash.

• Later Tuesday evening, Rice stole a purse in Indian Shores before going to Largo and approaching a woman in a silver Ford Mustang. She grabbed a backpack from the front passenger seat, then ran to her own vehicle.

When the woman in the Mustang tried to block Rice's Geo Tracker from leaving the scene, Rice crashed into the woman's car, then tried to run her down when she exited her car, Largo police said.

Rice was taken to the Pinellas County Jail; bail was set at $50,500.