Unaware that he would be met with fast justice from an Army veteran nearby, the petty thief chose to steal from an unsuspecting New Hampshire woman who had just finished her shopping list inside a local Walmart.
Rhonda Healey, 51, was shopping when a man abruptly took her purse, according to Authorities. Healey was looking through holiday cards at around 5 p.m. when a man walked by her and took her wallet out of her purse, which was sitting in her shopping cart.
Army veteran Richard White, a 45-year-old customer who was standing close, heard the woman scream and saw the suspect fleeing, he took the guy by the arm and swiftly pinned him to the ground. Until Manchester police officers arrived on the scene, he held the suspect in custody.
While waiting for the police to arrive, White continued to pursue the accused suspect, 24-year-old Alan White and was able to grasp him by the arm and hold him down.
White says he heard the cries for help and knew he had to jump into action. “I grabbed him and tossed him to the ground,” White said, “He tried to hit and grab me. I sat on him until the police came. I brought his arm up and said, ‘give me your other hand or I’ll break this one.” And he gave me his other hand, and that was it.
“With all the opportunity for help, there is no need to steal,” White added. “To me it wasn’t a big thing. I am just glad I could help out.”
The wallet snatcher, a homeless man was later arrested and charged with theft and for lying about his identity.
“With all the opportunity for help, there is no need to steal,” White added. “To me it wasn’t a big thing. I am just glad I could help out.”
Healey expresses her appreciation for the Good Samaritan’s prompt arrival and ability to prevent the robber from fleeing.
“With everything going on, it’s nice to know there’s really good people out there,” Healey said.
