Armed robbery at the Ocean Springs Walmart Supercenter

Most police officers would agree their job is to protect and serve, even when off duty. That was the case when a crime occurred at the Walmart Supercenter in Ocean Springs.
Police say a thief was stopped right in his tracks after he snatched a woman’s purse, as an off-duty police officer and some fellow shoppers intervened.
Clear sunny skies made for an ideal shopping day at the Walmart Supercenter in Ocean Springs Thursday morning, but it was a completely different scene Wednesday evening. Ocean Springs Investigator Terry Hines said, “Approximately 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon we received 9-1-1 calls of an armed robbery in Walmart where a lady’s purse was taken and the suspect displayed a firearm.”
Police say 17-year-old Nicholas Brothern was the purse snatcher. The crime did not go unnoticed. Investigators say the victim took off after the purse snatcher and other shoppers joined in on the pursuit, chasing the thief into the parking lot. Little did they know back up was already on the way.
An off duty Ocean Springs police officer was inside the Walmart at the time of the crime. He followed the suspect out into the parking lot and was able to get the description of the car and call it in to his fellow officers and they were able to stop the car before it even left the parking lot.
Police tell News 25 the decision to intervene during the crime was a risky one, but praise them for making a good decision in this situation. “It’s always good to be a good witness. A lot of times when you chase after someone you are putting yourself at risk, but if you can get information and are able to relay it to the police and proper authorities it is much safer that way,” said Hines.
Police arrested Brothern at the scene and charged him with armed robbery. Police charged three others who were riding in the getaway truck after questioning. “They were all implicated in the crime. There is more details that of course we are not putting out right now, but they were all implicated in the crime of taking the purse that ultimately turned into armed robbery,” said Hines.
Bond was set at $100,000 each during a court appearance Thursday.
Meanwhile, shopping is back to usual at the Walmart Super Center and thanks to a helping hand from police and good Samaritans, the victim retrieved her purse not long after it was snatched away from her.