An Ohio man is being honored by his town for apprehending the burglar who stole an 87-year-old woman’s pocketbook while she was shopping at a grocery store.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office awarded Deshawn Pressley, 27, a Citizen’s Award for pursuing the perpetrator and ensuring the purse was returned to its rightful owner.

On December 5, Pat Goins was shopping at Kroger in Lemon Township when a man stole her pocketbook, which was fastened to her shopping cart.

Pressley, who was in a different aisle with his one-year-old daughter, heard Goins’ calls for aid and instantly acted.

«I heard her yelling and screaming… «It was the cry for rescue,» Pressley recounted. «And I simply turned around and went about my business as a citizen.»

Pressley and Goins had a cordial talk before the ordeal. They parted ways briefly before Pressley heard the woman’s desperate cry, «My purse!»

At least 15 other shoppers after the thief, but Pressley outpaced them all. The man rushed him out of the store and into the parking lot, wrestling him to the ground and effecting a citizen’s arrest before he could reach a running car.

Pressley stopped the thief from fleeing, and Butler County Sheriff Deputies and Trenton police officers apprehended the person who stole the woman’s pocketbook. He was charged with robbery and theft and was released on a $55,000 cash bond.

“He was running and looking back, running and looking back, and I was like ‘yeah, I’m on you’re a–,” said Pressley.

Once the thief was caught, fellow shoppers ordered him to apologize to Goins.

“They told him he better apologize to me. He said he was sorry, he said he was sorry,” she said.

The burglar had made no attempt to harm her and was simply interested in the $60 in her purse.

Pressley left the scene with small scratches on his arms, but he said it was all worth it.

The award ceremony will not be the last time the couple meets, as they have already booked a dinner date. Goins is looking forward to meeting Pressley’s daughter and becoming a part of her life.

«I’m delighted I was able to assist her because she is a fantastic, gorgeous lady, and I really love helping people, especially older women,» Pressley added. «They need affection and protection just like any other woman, regardless of age.»

Pressley is no stranger to doing good for the elderly. He used to shovel snow for older folks for free when he was younger. He informed them he didn’t do it for the money, but because he cared.

Pressley stated that he pursued the suspect because of how his grandma reared him. His mother died while he was young, so he was raised by his grandma. Pressley claimed she was the one who instilled in him good ideals.

«She did a lot for me,» stated the Good Samaritan.

The officer who responded to the purse snatching call, Butler County Sheriff Deputy James Davenport, said Pressley was really brave because he didn’t know if the robber had a weapon on him.

“He’s a hero there, especially this time, the time we’re living in here,” Davenport said. “He’s a hero there to get involved as he did.”

“I’m glad that he received this honor because he’s my hero,” Goins said about Pressley’s Citizen’s Award.

Davenport was also in attendance during the ceremony for Pressley. His grandmother died shortly after Thanksgiving, and when he walked in, he gave Goins a hug.

After interviewing the grandma, he drove her home to ensure she was safe and carried in her groceries.

“This kind of hit home. I was glad that we were able to get him off the streets,” he said. “So it was my duty to actually make sure she got home safely.”

You can learn more about Pressley’s heroic deed in the video below.