A pink, mirrored makeup compact led to the arrest Wednesday of an Athens man by Athens Police, an official said.

A customer at Wittichen Supply Co. at 1131 U.S. 31 South noticed her purse was taken from her unlocked vehicle about 4 p.m. and telephoned police, said Capt. Marty Bruce.

Officer Brandon Turner, who heard an alert for the suspect, was returning to the police station when he saw the suspect — Samuel Roy Morris, 53, of 805 Second Avenue — traveling south on U.S. 31, he said.

Morris was the only other person at Wittichen at the time of the theft, Bruce said.

After stopping Morris, Turner found the compact in his vehicle that belonged to the victim, the captain said.

The rest of the items in the purse, which were not recovered, included a Family Security savings account card, birth certificate, $8 in cash, $20 Alabama driver’s license, Social Security card, Medicaid card and $50 in clothing.

Morris was charged with unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and was transferred to the Limestone County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of posting a $2,500 bond.

Theft charge

Good police work led to the arrest of an Athens man in connection with the March 29 theft of a $2,500 generator from Wilson Concrete at 1108 Lucas St. in Athens, Bruce said.

Erskin Dewayne Jacobs, 45, 939 E. Strain Road, was charged with second-degree theft of property, records show.

He was transferred to the Limestone County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of posting at $2,500 bond, Bruce said.

The generator has not been recovered.

— Jean Cole