"The offender eventually doubled back and started heading north all the while being chased by the worker who not only had sufficient breath, but the presence of mind to phone 111 enabling us to coordinate our response and capture the offender by Waikato Hospital.
"Though we're yet to locate her cellphone we were able to return the wallet to the victim.
"This is a timely reminder to shoppers not to leave your valuables unattended, even for an instant, as you never know whose watching,'' Mr Litton said.
"This man really has gone above and beyond what could reasonably be expected from a person in regards to customer care and he deserves all the accolades possible for his efforts."