10-Year-Old California Girl Thwarts Man's Alleged Plan to Steal Her Mom's Wallet

— -- A California girl put principle above her fear and stopped a suspected thief.

Genesis Ramos, 10, confronted a man in Santa Ana, California, who tried to steal her mom’s wallet from the center console of their car, police told ABC News today.

“I just didn’t think that it was right that he could take it, so I wanted to get it back,” Genesis told ABC Los Angeles station KABC.

Genesis’ mom, Grace Ramos, had stepped into a 7-Eleven to use the ATM and left her two daughters waiting in the car. Police said a man shown on store surveillance video shoplifted batteries and food right before setting his eyes on Grace’s wallet.

The man allegedly opened the family’s driver door and took the wallet. Genesis chased him back to his own car and had a "tug-of-war" struggle with the door, Santa Ana Police Department public information officer Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

“He kept on trying to close it, but I kept on trying to open it, so he gave up,” Genesis told KABC.

Genesis screamed for witnesses to call the police and the man eventually gave her the wallet and sped off, police said.

“You can imagine anything could happen, but thank God everything came out good,” Grace Ramos told KABC.

Genesis snapped a picture of the man’s California license plate on a silver Dodge Caravan. Grace Ramos and police both said it would have been safer for Genesis to let the thief get away with the wallet.

"Obviously, we don't recommend a 10-year-old girl chase a male or female adult suspect to the car," Bertagna said. "She did what she did and got wrapped up in the situation. It worked out for the best, but it's not what we recommend."

Police said they're investigating the incident.

The Ramos family declined to comment to ABC News.