By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Social media frenzy helps nab alleged north Nanaimo purse snatcher

Mar 13, 2019 | 11:08 AM

NANAIMO — An outpouring of tips helped police arrest a man allegedly responsible for a brazen purse-snatching in Nanaimo’s north-end.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said the suspect, a 48-year-old Nanaimo man, was arrested without incident Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the city’s downtown area.

O’Brien said a continuous stream of useful information flooded their detachment from various means after the story went public earlier in the day.

“Within about three or four hours the individual was identified, arrested and taken into custody.”

O’Brien said the man, who’s known to local police, faces charges of theft, possession of stolen property and fraudulent use of credit cards for the March 5 incident.

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The suspect hasn’t been officially charged and has a court date slated for May 7, according to O’Brien.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW the way the victim had her purse stolen in broad daylight in the Costco parking lot struck a chord with people.

“We got lots of tips from various means from people and it ultimately narrowed the suspect pool to the person we believe to be responsible.”

The suspect allegedly used a pair of credit cards at two nearby businesses shortly after the purse-snatching.

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