A 91-year-old lady simply wasn't about to be a victim, say Burnaby RCMP.
Around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, the woman had just sat down for a coffee at Metropolis at Metrotown, hanging her purse from the handle of her walker.
A thief snatched the purse and fled.
The senior responded by chasing the thief and calling for help from bystanders.
"I suspect that she planned it and it seemed like it was over before it started. Only carry the absolute necessary documents with you when you are out," she said in a press release.
As luck would have it, a Burnaby RCMP Community Safety Forum was being held in the nearby atrium, so several police officers were at the scene quickly and the thief was arrested.
Elissa Joe, 42, of Surrey resident has been charged with theft under $5000.
"I am extremely proud of our members and their quick response to an unfolding event. I am equally impressed with the actions of the victim. This is the best outcome we could have asked for," said Supt. Derren Lench, operations officer and assistant officer in charge of the Burnaby detachment.