"When they found out what had happened that was it, one 48-year-old man pursued the offenders on his pushbike and apprehended one offender while others relayed descriptions and direction of travel to responding police via the 111 phone service."
Police arrived and arrested the first boy, and found the second soon after, Mr Toomey said.
"Though one offender made a full and frank confession the other is still being interviewed. We recovered the money taken from the lady but so far we have been unable to locate her purse."
Both offenders are due to appear in the Morrinsville Youth Court on theft charges on Friday.
Mr Toomey said police were pleased but not really surprised by the Morrinsville public's reaction to what happened.
"I think most people would be appalled at an attack on a 98-year-old woman and want to take action," he said.
"In this case that action is exactly what we ask for, the quick and accurate passing of information to Police that allows us to take action, it just goes to show that by working together we can make our communities safer places to live by showing this type of behaviour won't be tolerated."
