Police said a brazen mugger used a knife to slash away a purse from a 65-year-old woman in North Seattle.

The attack happened in the 6500 block of 36th Avenue Northeast at 3 p.m. Wednesday as a woman was walking home after getting off a bus.

According to police, the victim was attacked from behind by a man wearing a mask.

Investigators said when the man tried to snatch the woman’s purse, she fought back.

The mugger then pulled out a knife and freed the purse from the woman’s arm by cutting off the straps.

He then fled. Officers were unable to find the man.

Police said the woman’s hand was cut during the attack.

The attacker is described as a man in his 20s who’s 5 feet 9 inches tall, about 150 pounds with a thin build.  He was wearing a black mask, a black hooded sweatshirt and gray pants.

The Ravenna Blog reported that a man was robbed in a similar attack on Valentine’s Day a few blocks from the site of Wednesday’s incident.   The attacker in that case cut the victim’s pants to steal his wallet.

Anyone who may have information about the attack is asked to call Seattle police.