New York State Police credit community response at an Endwell restaurant for helping capture an alleged criminal.

Action News reporter Landon Sears tells us...

When a young man attempted to snatch a purse from an elderly woman he got a lot more than he expected.

It was a quiet and cold afternoon at about 1:30 on Saturday at Bobby's Place on Main Street in Endwell.

Until an elderly woman screamed frantically.

"I ran to the door to see what was going on, she then told me somebody had just stolen her purse," said Bobby Larnerd, owner of Bobby's Place.

Owner Bobby Larnerd and Chef Joe Piechota were on break at the time.

He says he saw a man take the purse and...

"Just saw him running across the street. I ran out the door and went after him," said Joe Piechota, Bobby's Place.

"Bobby and Joe chased the suspect, Kory Sorensen, to this apartment here at 2704 North Street in Endwell where his mother and sister live. They tackled him and held him on the ground for about 20 minutes until police arrived," said Action News reporter Landon Sears.

State police arrested Sorensen and he was arraigned in the Town of Union Court on felony charges for third degree robbery.

The police were thankful for the assistance from Bobby's Place.

"These folks acted in an outstanding manner," said Tim Mulvey, New York State Police investigator.

"Bad things have been happening in this town lately and it's kind of nice to catch one of them," said Larnerd.

Sorenson has been caught for a crime twice in one week.

He was charged last Tuesday for illegal possession of a narcotic drug.

Larnerd says he just used common sense to help police catch Sorensen this time.

"I would hope to think that in a situation like that anybody that would be there and see it would have taken the initiative to help out somebody in need," said Larnerd.

And thanks to the folks at Bobby's Place--the woman got her purse back...and the day went on, business as usual, and the suspect went to jail.

Bobby's Place says this was the first time there was ever a crime like this at the restaurant.