Victim chases robbery suspect in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile Police said a woman chased a suspect after he stole from her. The theft happened in midtown early Tuesday evening.

Neighbors are taken aback by what happened to a woman who was driving home from work. Police said she was confronted by suspect, Timothy Smith at Old Shell Road and North Carlen Street.

"An individual on a bicycle reached into her vehicle and grabbed her cell phone and two $20 bills and fled the scene," Officer Ronald Wallace said.

Police said the woman wasn't going to let that happen, and she took off right behind the suspect and chased him for blocks.

"While the victim was chasing the suspect in her vehicle she was yelling out to bystanders to call 9-1-1 that she had just been robbed," Wallace added.

"We look out for each other, that's the main thing we do in this area. We try to look out for each other," neighbor Gloria Wax said.

Gloria Wax said folks in the quaint midtown neighborhood help each other and that's exactly what happened.

"At that point one of the bystanders called police. The police were able to get out to the scene with a description of the suspect," Wallace added.

Police said they spotted the suspect on Lambert Avenue and noticed the victim was still following right behind him.

"The subject was apprehended and the belongings to the victim were returned to her," Wallace said.

"It kind of makes me feel kind of scared, makes me keep my guard up," Wax added.

Wax said fortunately it was a good end to a negative situation, but the ordeal served as a reminder to her to just be a little more careful.

Authorities said Smith has a history of theft with the Mobile Police Department. This time, he's charged with unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle.