Thinking he had an easy target, a 41-year-old male approached an elderly woman from behind and yanked the gold chain off her neck before attempting to make a run for it.

Fortunately for the 67-year-old victim, her shouts attracted the attention of two members of the public who gave chase and detained the snatch thief.

The incident happened at about 10.15am on Wednesday near Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3.

The police in a statement on Thursday praised the two members of the public for their selflessness and civic-minded actions.