Hero chases, captures suspect after purse stolen in Southfield

A purse snatcher struck at a Southfield market, but a Good Samaritan went above and beyond to catch the suspect.

"I heard someone screaming, 'Help me! Help me!'" said Aaron Tobin.  "I saw a woman with two young kids, so I sprang into action."

"He went over to her, ripped the purse off her shoulder," he added.  "I saw him take the bag, and he started running across Greenfield."

Tobin jumped in his car and began to chase the suspect down Greenfield.  The suspect made a 180 degree turn and doubled back across Greenfield, so Tobin parked his car in the middle of the street and took off after him.

"He kind of slowed down when he looked over his shoulder.  I was running full speed after him.  I was able to jump on him, tackle him to the ground, and then I got an arm behind his back.  Then another man came over and helped me.  He sat on his back till the Oak Park Police showed up," Tobin said.

"She was very appreciative, and her husband called me this morning to thank me."

The manager at One Stop Kosher Food Mart said last week the same guy snatched another purse, that time with an accomplice.

Tobin is without a doubt the hero of his community.  He is getting handshakes and high fives from strangers.  He got a free coffee from his local coffee shop, and One Stop Kosher Food Mart made him the honorary chief of security for a day.