Police Arrest Purse Snatcher Off East 14th Street

One man is in custody after police said he snatched a woman's purse near 162nd Avenue and East 14th Street and tried to run away.

Deputies responded to a call of a possible robbery around 11:30 a.m. according to Sgt. J.D. Nelson of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

When they arrived, they found a woman suffering from minor injuries after falling and being struck in the face by the purse snatcher, Nelson said. She told police the suspect had snatched the purse right off her shoulder.

"The victim called for help and some Good Samaritans came along and challenged the suspect," he said.

The thief then ran off. A CHP helicopter was sent out and police surrounded the area.

It took more than an hour for police to find the suspect on 162nd Avenue, Nelson said.