COLUMBUS, Ohio - Police arrested a man who stole a woman's purse outside a west side church on Thursday night.

Mary Groves said she was leaving Holy Family Catholic Church around 9 p.m. when a thief grabbed her purse and ran, 10TV News reported.

A UPS driver, Tim Lyons, heard Groves yelling and chased James Cossin on foot to the river, 10TV News reported.

"There happened to be an off duty police officer kayaking in the river and he's the one that actually spotted him because the guy was basically hiding in the brush that hangs over the river," Lyons said. "He spotted him and pulled him out."

Cossin, 41, was arrested and faces theft charges.

Groves said she was carrying more cash than usual when her purse was stolen.

Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for additional information.

Reported by Maureen Kocot