It happened around 4:30 Friday afternoon at the Kmart on the 4700 block of Limestone Road in the Pike Creek Shopping Center.
Authorities say the 69-year-old victim was walking to her car when she was approached by 49-year-old Charles A. Zingo.
The suspect allegedly grabbed the woman's purse and a brief struggle ensued. Zingo got away with the victim's purse and fled the scene.
The elderly woman suffered minor injuries during the struggle.
A short time later, Zingo was spotted by a New Castle County officer and taken into custody.
Zingo faces a robbery charge for the incident and remains in custody at the Howard Young Correctional Institution.