Man Helps Catch Alleged Purse Snatcher

LINDALE — Criminals in East Texas seem to be targeting homeowners more and more these days, and because of it, according to KETK, more and more East Texans are taking matters into their own hands. This week, one homeowner did just that, taking the man who allegedly burglarized his car on a car chase through Smith County.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hassan Snoubar of Lindale was having dinner with his family when his sister starting screaming from the driveway that someone snatched her purse right before her eyes. So Snoubar took off. He eventually caught up with the alleged thief parked on the side of Farm Road 849. That’s when authorities say the suspect put his car in reverse and fled. Snoubar followed while his sister was calling 911 from home. The chase finally ended with a crash on County Road 427. The driver was taken into custody. He’s identified as Reginald D. Whitmill, 33, of Tyler.

Authorities on scene believe Whitmill actually burglarized a vehicle at another home earlier in the day. Victor Thomas, the owner of that vehicle, plays percussion at his church in Lindale, so he had a Bible in his bag with his contact information written in it. That’s how authorities were able to return his possessions to him Tuesday afternoon. Thomas says he’s had run-ins with thieves before, he even held one at gunpoint until the police arrived.