Vancouver Police arrested a robbery suspect Sunday evening after he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground and ran off with her purse in Vancouver’s West End.

Just before 6 p.m. on June 24, a 37-year-old woman was walking in the area near Cardero Street and Davie Street when a man suddenly pushed her from behind, causing her to fall to the ground. The suspect allegedly grabbed her purse and ran off. Several witnesses immediately jumped into action by providing assistance to the victim and important information to the police.

As a result of the team work between the public and the police, a 26-year-old Vancouver man was arrested a few blocks away and taken to jail. The woman received minor physical injuries and was treated at the scene by BC Ambulance.

“As soon as the suspect started to run off with the woman’s purse, she began yelling that she’d been robbed. This started a chain of events that led to several witness coming to her aid and our officers arresting of the suspect,” says Constable Jason Doucette VPD. “I’m sure this suspect will think twice before trying to steal another purse.”

The VPD has recommended one charge of robbery against the suspect and he is scheduled to appear in court today.