Witnesses Nab Alleged Smithville Purse Snatcher

The Galloway Police Department received some help from two vigilant citizens in Smithville on Saturday, Dec. 15, police said.

Two men didn't just witness a purse snatching outside the CVS in Smithville; they chased down the thief and apprehended him until police arrived on the scene, police said.

A 40-year-old man from Atco and a 55-year-old man from Egg Harbor City chased down Paul Heriegel III, 24, of New Gretna, after they say they saw him steal a purse from a 68-year-old woman entering CVS Saturday afternoon, police said. The identities of the two witnesses and the victim were not released by police.

After witnessing the alleged incident, the two witnesses chased Heriegel down, and captured him near Quail Hill Boulevard and South New York Road, police said. The victim's property was recovered, and she was not injured, according to police.

Heriegel was charged with robbery and theft, and his bail was set at $750,000 full cash. He was transported to the Atlantic County Justice Facility, and was being held on those charges and other municipal warrants, police said.