A Pearl City man was arrested today after a woman he befriended accused him of stealing her purse.

The woman, 22, said the suspect, 19, approached her in Waikiki at about 10 p.m. yesterday and befriended her, police said. About 1 a.m., the suspect inexplicably took the purse she was holding in her hand and fled, police said.

The victim flagged down a patrol officer and filed a report. The suspect was located on Kuhio Avenue and arrested. He is being held on suspicion of second-degree theft.