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Thompson caught the woman as she fell and tried to help her, butshe had a fast recovery when paramedics arrived and refused medicalattention. Then Thompson realized his wallet was missing. Hesuspects the woman had something to do with it.

"It could have been a teamwork thing," said Thompson, adding thathe believes the woman was in cahoots with someone else in the crowdthat gathered around her. "It's just catching the person off guard— the element of surprise."

Thompson, who was carrying his wallet in his back pocket, admits hehas no proof.

"You're in a place ordering some food," he said. "The last thing onyour mind is somebody falling out...I wasn't really aware of whatwas going on behind me."

Thompson, a 51-year-old contractor who fixes up apartments, said hehad just paid for some food at the counter when the woman beganfalling. "I went to grab her so she didn't bust her head on thefloor," he said.

For five to ten minutes, the woman laid on the ground. Her eyeswere closed and she appeared to be losing consciousness, Thompsonsaid.

Paramedics soon arrived and the woman's condition rapidly improved,according to a police report.

"When the ambulance showed up, she all of a sudden was OK and readyto go," he said.

Thompson only had about $20 in his wallet, and has already replacedhis driver's license, he said.

But the next time he helps a woman in distress, Thompson said, "I'mgoing to make sure everything I have is secure."