The man was arrested on charges of possession of stolen property.

"I was hoping this guy could lead them to her stuff," Hyland said. "I wanted her to know right away, and gave her the case number so she could provide it to the San Jose police."

Butters' mother, Ingela Butters had her shoulder bag stolen from Ingela's Interiors on Oct. 19. In the purse were keys to the store, home and car, customer checks, cash, cell phone and a Daytimer that contained clients' billable hours, vendor and customer information.

The man, who was described as Hispanic between the ages of 18 and 20, about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a shaved head, was spotted by Hyland's son, BJ, while he was riding his bike to the shop.

BJ Hyland saw a man get off the bike and enter the Walgreen's on the corner of Meridian Avenue and San Carlos Street. When the man came out of the drugstore, BJ Hyland confronted him, according to the senior Hyland.

BJ Hyland asked the rider what he was doing with "his bike," Hyland said. A $500 Nirve Street King Black three-speed custom cruiser, identical to the one the man was riding, had been purchased from the family's store with a stolen credit card.

BJ Hyland turned the bike over to check the serial numbers and confirmed it was a match. The rider insisted he had a receipt. Then he grabbed the bike and took off, according to Hyland.

The younger Hyland jumped on his own bike and gave chase but lost the rider. However, he was able to contact his father, who called the police.

The area near Walgreen's is under the jurisdiction of the sheriff's department, according to deputy T. Hickman, who is investigating the case. He said the deputies caught up with the rider near Bascom Avenue and Elliott Street, where he was arrested.

Butters said she contacted the sheriff's department as soon as she heard from Hyland.

"The sheriff's department was right on it. They called me right away," she said. "I still haven't heard from the San Jose police,"

Butters said.

The police may have been slow to respond, but not the community.

"The community rallied immediately," she said. "[Councilman Ken] Yeager's office called within 24 hours after theft. Able Printing made up 100 fliers for me to post around the neighborhood and the Willow Glen Resident got our story out. Everyone was wonderful."

Butters was thankful that Hyland recovered his bike. She is hoping the arrest will lead to information about her mother's stolen purse.

However, the shoulder bag may have been stolen by another person. It is still unclear how the rider obtained her mother's credit card to purchase the bicycle.

Hyland is grateful to have the bike back. He will sell it as used.

He said thefts such as this are a "big hit" for small businesses.

"It's funny; since the theft we've been checking IDs more and people actually appreciate me doing that," Hyland said.

The crime, however, has not put a damper on his trust.

"We still believe most people who walk through the door are honest," he said.