Police have arrested a man after an elderly woman’s handbag was stolen from her car while she loaded her shopping into it.
Officers identified a suspect via CCTV and other enquiries after the incident was reported in a supermarket car park off Nottingham Road in Mansfield.
Further enquiries led to the handbag being recovered in a van.
A man was taken into custody on suspicion of theft from a vehicle shortly after the woman in her 80s was targeted at around 1.35pm yesterday (Tuesday 20 April).
Sergeant Victoria Wetton, who has been leading the investigation, said: “Our officers worked quickly to carry out their enquiries and we’re glad that we were able to recover the victim’s belongings.
“It has also led to a man being arrested.
“Opportunist thieves need to be warned that we have a number of methods to track them down and even catch them in the act. We will also do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“It is completely unacceptable to prey on vulnerable people and we don’t want anyone to feel threatened while they go about their shopping.”
