Updated: Times of Malta photographer pins thief to the ground

A Times of Malta photographer performed a citizen arrest this evening when he ran after a man, who had just snatched a handbag from a woman in Pieta. The photographer was in his car on his way home when he saw a young woman screaming just as he passed the Satariano showroom. He stopped the car and gave chase after a man who was running up towards Blata l-Bajda. The man, who is known to the police, is in his mid-30s and from Valletta. A Times of Malta journalist, who happened to be driving behind the photographer, also stopped his car and directed traffic in the busy road. Speaking to timesofmalta.com the photographer said the man first threw away the handbag and then the wallet as he continued running towards the St Joseph School in the area. The man stopped running and gave up when the photographer shouted at him. Another journalist from the Xarabank team witnessed the chase and while the photographer held the man with a tight bear hug, the former called the police. The man was arrested and taken to the Msida police station. The case is being investigated by Insp. Jason Sultana. The woman was unharmed but was suffering from shock.