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BY KEITH EPPS
A robbery suspect was run down, tackled and handcuffed by bystanders Thursday in a North Stafford shopping center, authorities said.
Stafford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bill Kennedy said the incident started about 5:30 p.m. as a woman was leaving the Shopper's Food Warehouse in Stafford Marketplace.
The woman told police she noticed a man standing in the entrance, but thought he was an employee and was not alarmed.
The woman, whose age was not available, got to her vehicle in a handicapped parking spot and put her purse on the front seat.
Kennedy said the man who had been in the store entrance then slammed the door into the woman's back and grabbed the purse.
During the struggle over the purse, the woman and the suspect fell to the ground.
Kennedy said a man who was driving past saw the altercation and heard the woman yell, "He's trying to get my purse!"
The man got out of his vehicle and chased the suspect on foot. He caught up with the man in the area of Sears and tackled him.
Meanwhile, a bail bondsman who was in another store saw the two men run past. He got his handcuffs and placed them on the suspect, Kennedy said.
Numerous deputies responded to calls about the incident and were directed to where the bystanders had the suspect in custody.
Four pill bottles that had been taken from the woman were on the ground beside the suspect.
Arbra Gerard Walker, 21, of Ruther Glen was turned over to police and charged with robbery, assault and battery and two counts of illegally possessing prescription drugs. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
Kennedy did not release the names of the bystanders, but credited them with being responsible for the arrest.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com
