Brooklyn DA and security detail chase down suspected purse snatcher

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Brooklyn's top law enforcement official jumped into action this weekend.

District Attorney Ken Thompson heard someone yelling that her purse was snatched, and that's when he jumped in his SUV with his son and two detectives and went after the man.

Brooklyn DA Thompson Monday credited members of his security detail with taking down a suspected purse snatcher over the weekend.

"They did all the work, I was just fortunate enough to be part of it," Thompson said.

The drama began at Raees Pharmacy on Flatbush Avenue. The security cam video shows the suspect following a 69-year-old woman into the store and then stealing her wallet out of her handbag.

When the victim realizes what's happened, she goes out into the street screaming for help.

Sean Campbell and Stephon Zephyr were among the Good Samaritans who immediately gave chase.

The suspect fled down Parkside Avenue right past Nelson's Barbershop, where DA Thompson had just gotten his son a haircut.

"If people are screaming, 'Stop him, he's just committed a crime', I'm the DA and these guys are the best. We had an obligation to pursue him and subdue him," Thompson said.

And that's what they did, chasing the man several blocks in an SUV before finally dragging him to the ground.

"Instinct kicks in, you know and you're trained and you do what you're trained to do," said Det. Bernard Gifford, DA security detail.

Now facing charges of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in this case is 61-year-old Koheleth Griem. He has been arrested more than 30 times with four previous convictions.

"It's time for him to go away for a long time," Thompson said.