Quick reporting leads to arrest after purse theft in New Westminster

A New Westminster Police Department officer is seen downtown. (NWPD handout)

A man has been arrested after a woman’s purse was stolen from a coffee shop in New Westminster’s Uptown neighbourhood on Saturday.

Police are praising the victim for reporting the crime so quickly, which led to the swift arrest of the suspect and the return of her purse.

In a statement Tuesday, the New Westminster Police Department said the woman flagged down an officer patrolling the area, who then went to the coffee shop, spoke with staff and reviewed CCTV footage.

“The officer left the coffee shop with a detailed suspect description,” reads the NWPD release.

Police say the suspect was arrested about 45 minutes later, and the purse was returned to its rightful owner.

“This underscores the importance of reporting a crime as soon as possible,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver of the NWPD said in the release. “This officer was able to work quickly and locate the suspect while he was still in the area.”

Leaver tells CTV News that the suspect is known to police and has not yet been charged.

“Our officers are preparing a report to Crown counsel and will be considering charges of theft,” he said in an email.

The NWPD says it is raising awareness about thefts like this to remind the public to keep personal belongings secure when visiting public places.