Victim Chases Thief, Gives Him Money

Sep 2, 1:14 PM EDT

Victim Chases Thief, Gives Him Money

U.S. Video

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (AP) -- A 75-year-old woman ran after a man who stole her purse, got it back and gave him a tongue-lashing - and $3.

Betty Horton said the man apologized to her and said he was broke.

"I said, 'Why didn't you just ask me for some change? I would have helped you. I would have gladly given it to you,'" Horton said.

Horton was putting groceries in her car Wednesday when she noticed her purse was missing. She saw a man running with the bag under his arm.

"Good thing I had my running shoes on," Horton said.

She ran past businesses and saw him in a residential area standing over the unzipped purse, she said. She threatened to shoot his ear off, although she didn't have a gun.

Horton said she put money in his hand and told him, "Now get the heck out of here." Police arrived, but the thief - whom authorities described as a 40-year-old man - was gone.

"Seventy-five years old and I can still take care of myself," Horton said.

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