By KEITH EPPS

A stolen purse drew far more attention than the suspected thief could have anticipated Thursday evening at the Walmart in Central Park.

Police said three Good Samaritans chased the suspect down while a fourth called 911 and kept police informed about the incident.

The suspect was still being held down by the three men when officers arrived at the nearby Bank of America parking lot a short time later, Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said.

Bledsoe said the incident started about 8:30 p.m. outside the Walmart. A 26-year-old Spotsylvania woman was loading groceries into her vehicle when the suspect reached into her basket and grabbed her purse while her back was turned.

Another woman saw the theft and immediately called 911.

The victim then began screaming as she saw the suspect running away with the purse, which contained an i-Phone and other items.

Three men who appeared to be in their 20s heard the woman shouting and took off after the suspect. They caught up to him in the bank parking lot, tackled him and held him on the ground until police arrived.

The purse and all of its contents were returned to the owner, Bledsoe said.

Bledsoe said Friday she was still trying to determine if the three pursuers had been together prior to the chase.

Timothy Ryan Finney, 18, of King George was charged with grand larceny. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under a $1,500 bond.