A helpful citizen aided the Turlock Police Department in catching a suspected purse thief Thursday afternoon.

Around 1:30 p.m. Thursday a woman was walking in a shopping center in the 1800 block of Countryside Drive when a man came up behind her and snatched her purse.

The woman started to chase after the suspect and yelled for help. A witness to the theft joined in the chase and snapped a picture of the suspect’s vehicle as it sped away from the area.

Turlock police detectives were called to the area and armed with the photo were able to locate the vehicle and suspect quickly.

Jason Jarboe, 25, was taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of heroin.