A woman whose purse was snatched early Saturday morning gave chase, and the offender handed the purse back when he learned she had no money, police said.

            Roderick Lamont Lowery, 32, Sylvania, is behind bars after being pursued by police and subdued by a Taser, said Statesboro Police Chief Stan York.

            The 64-year-old female victim was near her vehicle between Belk and BB&T at the Statesboro Mall when Lowery approached her and snatched her purse, he said.

            She gave chase for a short distance, then Lowery " looked in the purse, saw it had no money, and gave it back to her," he said.

            But two other bystanders, one of whom was an of-duty  Bryan County law enforcement officer, also pursued Lowery until Statesboro Police arrived, he said.

            Officers Eric Short, Cpl. Kevin Weatherly and Advanced Patrol Officer Larry Futch pursued Lowery into Belk, where the chase continued until Lowery exited the building. Short and Weatherly continued pursuit and Weatherly deployed his Taser, effectively subduing Lowery, who was taken into custody without further incident, York said.

            Lowery is charged with robbery by sudden snatch, battery and obstruction, he said. He is being held in the Bulloch County Jail awaiting further court action.