Troy police say bystanders at a local store helped protect the victim of a purse-snatching Saturday and lead officers to a suspect.

Chelcie Umekia Datrec Mency, 24, of Troy, was arrested at the scene of the crime at a retail store on U.S. Highway 231.

“There were at least four witnesses in the parking lot that not only saw Mency struggle with the victim and take the purse, but they took it upon themselves to get involved and not only make sure that the victim was OK, but they made sure that Mency did not get away before the police arrived,” said Troy Police Chief Randall Barr. “Some immediately called 911 and attended to the victim while others chased Mency, recovering the purse and keeping her in sight until the police got there to take her into custody.”

Barr said witnesses reported Mency walking up to the victim, a 53-year-old female, and asking to use her phone, but the victim refused, telling Mency her phone was dead. The witnesses say Mency then attempted to snatch the purse away and was able to wreste it away after a brief struggle.

The victim was treated for minor scratches and bruises.

Mency has been charged with third-degree robbery in the crime, a Class C Felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Mency was incarcerated in the Pike County Jail where she remains on $50,000 bond.