Police have charged a 14-year-old male after he allegedly stole a handbag from woman at a fast food restaurant in Alice Springs

Detective Superintendent Brent Warren said a 41-year-old woman placed her handbag on top of the table she was sitting at, Police allege the youth stole her handbag then pushed a 50-year-old woman out of his path and fled from the premises.

“An off duty Police officer was alerted to the incident and ran after the youth apprehending him on Bath Street. He was then arrested by Police.

“This was great work by the off duty officer and members of the public who came to assist.

“The stolen handbag was returned to the woman and the youth was charged with aggravated robbery and resist Police.”

He will appear in Alice Springs Youth Justice Court on 17 April.