"It happened so quick, you know, you have to have it happen to you to know what a trauma that is," she said.
The struggle happened outside the Super King Market in Anaheim last week.
Sophia told authorities, and they put the store under surveillance. That day, 22-year-old Michael Hernandez was arrested.
Investigators say he rode a bike, stealing women's purses from carts when they turned their backs to load bags into their cars.
Hernandez may be responsible for at least eight to 10 other purse snatchings.
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