Ellsworth R. Young, owner of Phillips Book Store, said last night that a youth snatched two art books valued at $60 and fled from the store yesterday afternoon.

John Thorndike '64, an employee of the store, pursued the thief and apprehended him with the aid of William M. Nelson III, '67, another employee.

Cambridge police are holding Roger Hurwitz of Boston on a charge of "larceny under $100" in connection with the crime.

Young said that the problem of book thieves has been very prevalent in the Square this summer. "I'm glad we caught this fellow," he commented. "If only to prove to others that they can't get away with stealing."

One of the books taken was a $35 collection of Greek vase painting: the other was a $25 edition of Maillol's art.