Edmonton runner chases down wallet thief, then takes him for coffee

A runner in Edmonton stopped a thief in his tracks and, after returning the stolen wallet to its rightful owner, took the culprit out for coffee.

Tess Aboughoushe shared on social media on Feb. 14 that she witnessed a man take off with a woman’s wallet and she immediately followed in pursuit. Upon chasing him down, Aboughoushe says that she took the man, who she says apologized “100 times” and said “he’s never done something like this before,” for a beverage at Credo Coffee, a nearby cafe. “Only two blocks of running,” she says.

RELATED: Alberta runner catches alleged thief in chase, retrieves wife’s stolen bike.

Aboughoushe says she gave the woman whose wallet was stolen (and returned by the runner) a hug afterwards and wished her a happy Valentine’s Day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfMEJt_hrfw/

“Holy crap. I’m walking back from my chiro appointment and a woman begins screaming and I see a man taking off and she yells that he took her wallet, just like in the movies and I chased him down. He stops and says he can’t do this anymore and hands me back the wallet and she catches up and he apologizes 100 times, says he’s never done something like this before. She hugs me and I wish her a happy Valentine’s day, then I take the guy to credo, buy him a large coffee to stay, listen to his situation.. go upstairs to the office and call the police. He was very regretful and contrite but a desperate man could do desperate things and he needs the help of the police. I took the photo before he handed back the wallet. Only two blocks of running but I think my heart rate is going like I sprinted a 5K right now. Just like in the movies, guys. Holy crap.”

According to the CBC, the man told Aboughoushe that he was “visiting the city with his friends from Calgary when they left him stranded without money.”