07:08 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 6, 2006

By Shern-Min Chow / 11 News

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Police are noticing more and more crimes of opportunity.

KHOU-TV

Ivette Garcia was able to fend off her attackers, but police don't necessarily recommend doing that.

A woman was attacked at a gas station in the middle of the day Monday.

Police said the motive was robbery and these kinds of attacks are becoming all too common.

It was just before 11:30 Monday morning when Ivette Garcia walked into a convenience store in the 8000 block of Howard.. Following her was trouble in the form of two men.

It was caught on the store’s surveillance camera.

“I had almost $2,000 on me today,” said Garcia.

Both she and the store clerk were immediately suspicious.

“I was buying money orders so I had a good sum of money on the counter. The cashier grabbed it put it up and said management watch these guys,” said Garcia.

The suspected robber shouted at the clerk, then left with his accomplice, the alleged get away driver.  She thought they were pulling out and went to her SUV. That’s when she was jumped.

“He told me ‘B----- give me your wallet’, “   said Garcia, “He had a fingerless glove he was trying to struggle it from me. He just couldn’t get it out of my hands.”

Inside the store, people heard her scream.

The would-be mugger jumped into his car and they took off.

None of this is a surprise to detectives.

“Robberies and purse snatchings are probably the most common crime we deal with,” said Det. Paul Reese.

Detective Reese gives Ivette high marks for most of her response.

“She acted on her instincts. She could tell something was wrong, however she did go out to the parking lot.

“I got in my car and started chasing them. I called 911,” Garcia said.

That earned her a reprimand.

“Again, don’t try to take matters into your own hand,” said Det. Reese.

“I’ll try to remember that last part,” said Garcia.