BRISTOL, Conn. -- The mayor was in his office just before lunchtime Monday when he heard a scream.

Mayor Art Ward said his administrative assistant had just stepped out of her office when the incident occurred.

“My first reaction was, ‘What's going on?’" the mayor said. “And (another employee’s) response was, ‘He's going through her pocket book.’"

When Ward intervened, he said the teenager bolted out the door, with the mayor on his heels.

“When I look back and think about having leather shoes on and a suit, ha ha,” said Ward. “But everything transpired very quickly, and you didn't give any thought to it at the time.”

The mayor said he chased the teen to the end of the hallway, down three flights of stairs and out into the parking lot of City Hall.

“As soon as I hit the street, there were people saying, 'He went that way' and giving me directions and telling me what he was wearing,” said Ward.

He said he ran across North Main Street and through Depot Square before easing up when he saw police officers converging. Officers eventually arrested the 16-year-old assailant on High Street, said Ward, more than a half-mile from City Hall.

“Youth has its advantages, and speed was one of them,” the mayor said. “I was surprised I could still run, but it confirmed I can still run.”

“When I asked the other employee where the mayor was, she said he gave chase after him, and I'm thinking, ‘Oh my goodness,’" said Mary Suchopar, the mayor’s administrative assistant.

She said she's proud her boss was willing to chase the teen -- and is glad he didn't get hurt.

Now there's a buzzer on the door to make sure no one can sneak into the office.