Police: 'Valiant valet' helped stop strong-arm robbery

SEATTLE -- A 'valiant valet' helped stop a strong-arm robbery suspect and later bring her to justice, Seattle police said Tuesday.

According to police, several suspects surrounded a woman just after 7 p.m. Monday evening near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Pike Street. A female robber grabbed a cellphone from the victim, and another woman grabbed the victim's purse, police said.

A nearby valet saw the robbery and watched as the purse-snatcher passed the handbag to a male accomplice, police said. The valet grabbed ahold of the suspect, police said, and snatched the purse back. All the suspects fled the area.

Police called to the scene got a description of the suspects from witnesses. Two hours later, officers spotted a teen suspect and stopped her. With the help of the valet witness, they confirmed her as the cellphone robber, police said.

The teen was booked into King County Youth Service Center on investigation of robbery and a warrant.

Police are still believed to be looking for the other suspects.