Woman helps police track theft suspect to Regency Mall

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A theft suspect was arrested over the weekend thanks, in part, to the victim who had her purse stolen.

William Hunter, 30, is charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, Felony Personal ID Theft, Felony Bail Jumping, and Resisting an officer.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to Regency Mall on Sunday after a woman reported that her purse was stolen from infront of her house, and she was now tracking her phone through the mall.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim pointed out the suspect to authorities. The victim said that before officers arrived, she found out there was a charge on her debit card from GameStop. She went into GameStop to get information on who may have used her card and she was given a description of a male suspect.

The victim then located the suspect carrying a GameStop bag in the mall.

Officers made contact with the suspect, later identified as Hunter, and asked if he knew anything about a stolen card or cell phone. Hunter's lips began to quiver and he looked around, refusing to answer the officer.

According to the criminal complaint, officers felt that Hunter was going to run and so they told him that he was going to be detained, but not arrested. Hunter tried to run but ran into a mall security guard. He was tased and taken into custody.

The victim's credit cards and cell phone, as well as receipts from GameStop were located in Hunter's pockets. 

The victim told police she was in front of her home trying to get her children into her car when her nephew who is autistic ran into the street. The victim had dropped her purse and other items to chase after her nephew. When she returned to grab her purse, it was gone.