Purse Snatcher Caught By 'Good Samaritans' In Naperville: Cops

NAPERVILLE, IL — A homeless teen has been charged with snatching a woman's purse in downtown Naperville and then dragging the woman by the purse as she attempted to flee. Steven England, 19, faces felony aggravated battery and robbery charges in connection with the Tuesday night incident after bystanders came to the woman's aid and held him until police arrived.

The victim was walking down an alley near Barnes and Noble when the teen allegedly approached her from behind and grabbed her purse. Police say England kept running with the purse in his hand, but the woman did not let go, so the teen dragged the woman by the purse for some time.

The teen then allegedly let go of the purse, but was reportedly caught and detained by bystanders who had heard the victim screaming. Police arrived shortly after when they heard people shouting "purse snatcher" and they then took England into custody.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a press release, "It is alleged that Mr. England considered a woman in an alley an easy target for purse-snatching. Thanks to the efforts of several good Samaritans however, Mr. England’s alleged attempt as stealing an innocent woman’s belongings was thwarted."

England is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $75,000 bond. He is set to appear in court again on August 31.

Image provided by DuPage County State's Attorney's Office