Good Samaritans Help Police Catch Purse Snatcher

ALAMEDA, CA — Police arrested a youth Sunday near the South Shore Shopping Center in Alameda on suspicion of grand theft after he stole a purse from tourists, police said Monday.

Numerous people called 911 at about 4:40 p.m. to report that a suspect stole a purse from tourists inside a Safeway store at 2227 South Shore Center.

Others called police to tell them that citizens were chasing the suspect across a parking lot, across a lagoon along Otis Drive and into the 800 block of Oak Street.

When officers arrived, they were told the suspect was seen jumping fences.

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Officers surrounded the area and one officer spotted the suspect in a backyard.

Police said they chased the suspect on foot and caught him. Officers recovered the stolen purse and returned it to its owners. The suspect's name was not immediately released.

The couple offered thanks to the citizens, police and the entire Alameda community for helping them recover their property.

Police said that while they do not encourage anyone to put themselves in danger, they are grateful for the actions of the community in helping to apprehend the thief.

— Bay City News; Image by Alameda Police via Facebook