LEWISTON — Police are investigating the brazen robbery of an elderly woman who was walking into a supermarket Saturday afternoon.

The woman was walking into Shaw's on East Avenue at 4:25 p.m. when she was approached by a man who pushed her and threw her to the ground, Sgt. Randy St. Laurent said.

The man snatched her purse and ran off, police said. The woman was taken to a local hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.

“We're following several leads,” St. Laurent said.

The robbery of an elderly woman “is horrible,” he said. "This was a case where there were hundreds of people around. You're feeling safe and secure. He probably picked on her (because she was elderly)."

The assailant was described as a white male, 6 feet tall, thin, with scruffy facial hair. He was wearing a black hat. Anyone with information is asked to call Cpl. Jeff Baril at 513-3125, extension 3245.