Benton, Mo., man in custody for stealing purse at Walmart

A Benton, Mo., man was in custody Tuesday after he allegedly grabbed a shopper's purse from her shopping cart at Walmart and fled out the building, Cape Girardeau police said.

About 6 p.m., the victim was shopping in Walmart, 3439 William St., when she turned her back to her cart, Cpl. Rodney Edwards said. The unidentified 18-year-old grabbed her purse and ran. The victim screamed that her purse had been taken and chased the man out the store, Edwards said. Store employees chased him through the parking lot and a drainage ditch, before detaining him behind the Lane Bryant store, Edwards said. All the victim's property was returned.

The suspect remained in custody Tuesday evening, pending a felony stealing charge, Edwards said.

Pertinent address:

3439 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

155 Siemers Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.