Would-be purse thief nabbed by off-duty detective, police say

An Audrain County man is facing possible charges after allegedly trying to steal a purse.

Joe Hultz Jr., 40, is accused of swiping the bag out of a woman’s shopping cart at the Walmart at 1701 N Bus 54 in Fulton Thursday night.

Officers say they got the call around 7:30 p.m. from an off-duty detective who was in a foot chase with Hultz.

“During the investigation it was determined Hultz took the victim’s purse and while attempting to flee the scene, tried to get rid of the purse in a trash can outside,” a Fulton police spokesman said.

The victim wasn’t hurt during the ordeal.

Hultz was booked into the Callaway County Jail on a $6,000 bond.

The Mexico man faces possible charges of stealing and tampering with evidence.