Blaze News Original: Store workers use their guts, fists, and wits to battle crooks tooth-and-nail — Part 1



Store workers typically don't intervene when crooks come calling.

The standard operating procedure is to just let the lawless do what the lawless do — i.e., whatever they want. Certainly, employees aren't going to go out of their way to stop crimes and theft where they work. In the vast majority of cases, it's not their money or merchandise taking flight from the businesses — and what, after all, will most prosecutors do to petty crooks caught in the act?

'I was thinking, 'I'm here to serve the people, and I'm here to protect this store. And that's what I'm gonna do, and I would do it again.''

Well, the store employees you're about to get to know below aren't your garden-variety working stiffs. In many cases, they've had it up to here with crooks robbing them and their bosses blind. They know most criminals these days aren't expecting any resistance. Such a short-sighted stereotype very much works to the advantage of the good guys — and gals.

The forthcoming tidbits feature the likes of a mother and daughter encountering a crook right at closing time ... a hard-working dad on a conference call with his daughter's school as he's ready to wind things down for the evening when a thug puts a pistol in his face ... and a woman behind a counter who reads the riot act to a gun-toting goon who threatens to shoot her if she doesn't hand over all the register's cash. Oh, and she has a piping hot weapon at the ready for him too.

So, check out these stories of store workers who use their fists, guts, and wits to battle crooks tooth-and-nail. By the way, this is just Part 1 — as you might imagine, there are quite a few more folks manning counters and cash registers we're eager to feature who've gone above and beyond what most people would expect, particularly in this season of rampant retail theft.

Male store owner punches gun-wielding female shoplifter in face, then kicks, tackles, subdues her until cops arrive. Gunfire rings out as customers run for cover.


Surveillance video showed a Dallas store owner confronting an armed shoplifter on Sept. 4, 2023, and holding her down until police arrived. Sunjung Kim — owner of the Hair Plus Beauty Supply store — told WFAA-TV he "noticed she stole something. I told her to return the item or pay ... us, but she was trying to run away." Video shows the female punching at Kim, so he punched her back and kicked her. At that point, it appeared she tried to pull a gun, so Kim tackled her.

What sounds like a gunshot can be heard on the video as well, and other cameras show customers ducking for cover: “I didn't have much time to think," Kim told the station. "But I just saw her gun right away. I just dashed her to not shoot."

He was able to hand the gun to a co-worker and then hold the alleged shoplifter on the floor for 11 minutes until police arrived.

Kim told WFAA he probably won't react again like he did because his merchandise isn't worth risking his life: "I was lucky. Thank God." He added to the station that the assailant ripped off eyelashes and eyelash glue worth about $20. WFAA said she was charged with first-degree armed robbery and was being held on a $75,000 bond. (You can view a video report about the incident here.)

'Then shoot me': Gutsy clerk stands up to gun-toting thug who threatens to open fire if she doesn't hand over store's cash. (Her weapon? Oh, it's a hot one.)


Marie Paradis — manager of a gas station convenience store connected to Stone's Auto Repair in St. Albans, Vermont — had been on edge after a number of robberies in the area in a short period of time.

Paradis shared with WPTZ-TV that her instincts told her to prepare for trouble on the morning of Nov. 29, 2023: “I went and heated some coffee, and I double-heated it to almost boiling. Because I just had this feeling that if they tried something, I’m going to throw the coffee.”

Sure enough, Paradis saw a man dressed in all black and wearing a face mask approach the store, WPTZ noted. "I knew something was wrong, and I was ready for him," she added to the station.

Paradis told WPTZ she pressed the panic button when the man walked to the front counter — and surveillance video showed he was carrying a gun. "He said, 'Open up the till,' and I said no," she recalled to the station. Paradis repeated the crook's persistence to WPTZ, redacting his profanity: "I said open up the effin' till and give me all the money."

She replied to the armed robber that the till's contents were staying put, the station said: "You're not getting any money from me." With that, the crook threatened to open fire. "I am going to shoot you if you do not give me that money," the man warned, according to her recollection to WPTZ.

Paraidis added to the station that she replied, "Then shoot me, because you're not getting the money." Video shows Paradis chucking her coffee toward the armed man's head, after which she pepper-sprayed him, forcing him to cover up and retreat. He ended up taking off with some cigarettes and e-cigarettes — and no cash, the station said.

"I was thinking, 'I'm here to serve the people, and I'm here to protect this store," Paradis told WPTZ. "And that's what I'm gonna do, and I would do it again."

WPTZ said despite some businesses having been hit twice by the rash of recent, very public robberies, police have yet to nab the culprits. You can view a video report about the incident here.

Masked crook points pistol at Chicago store owner. But when perp has trouble with his piece, victim seizes moment to fight back.


James Suh — owner of Car Care Auto Spa in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood — was on a conference call for his daughter’s school around closing time one night in October 2022 when a masked man walked into his store, pointed a gun at him, and demanded money from the register, WMAQ-TV reported.

“It was just so sudden and alarming, no preparations,” Suh told the station. “I didn’t even see him walking in; all of a sudden he’s just there in front of me.” He added to WMAQ that "my mind was in complete shock."

Suh told the robber he couldn’t open the register, the station said. The crook is seen on surveillance video — which you can view as part of a larger report here — having issues with his gun, and WMAQ said that was the moment the married father of two saw his chance to fight back. Suh went for the perp's pistol.

“Your mind is just firing on all cylinders in such a short time, and I think I was mostly acting out of emotion and frustration, which is not a good place to make important decisions from,” he admitted to the station.

Suh successfully disarmed the suspect, who ran out of the store with no cash and no weapon, WMAQ said. Suh is seen on video walking back behind the register with the crook's gun in hand: “This guy, he was clearly not a professional, he didn’t know what he was doing."

Despite his victory over crime, Suh told WMAQ he'd handle it differently if he had to do it over again: "I think I would probably just comply and give him the money because it’s not worth it.”

The suspect fled northbound on Cicero Avenue and hadn't been located when the station's story ran, WMAQ said. Suh noted to the station that Chicago police told him the gun wasn't loaded. WMAQ added that detectives are investigating the incident.

Thugs armed with guns allegedly try to rob vape shop, but employee isn't having it — and actually chases crooks outside and fights them


Two males armed with guns entered a vape shop in San Antonio, Texas, on the night of April 6 and tried to steal merchandise — but an employee was in no mood to play and actually chased them out of the store and fought with them outside.

Police told KENS-TV they responded to Vape City around 10:35 p.m. for reports of an aggravated robbery and possible shooting. When officers arrived, they were told two males armed with guns tried to take items from the store, but one of the employees chased them outside, the station said. After a struggle, KENS said one of the suspects pulled a gun and fired it. Police told the station they believe the suspects fled on foot after the shooting. Officers were trying to determine if the suspect shot toward the employee or into the air, KENS said, adding that no one was wounded, and the building was not hit by gunfire, either. Police will continue their investigation, the station said.

Pair of 7-Eleven workers — 1 who grabs a stick — beat the snot out of would-be thief who tried to wheel away trash can full of cigarettes, smoking items


After a male last summer pulled scads of cigarettes, cigars, vapes, and other tobacco products off the shelves of a 7-Eleven in Stockton, California, and then put them into a 20-gallon trash can — all while he was behind the store's counter — employees were dumbfounded.

"Hey, why you stealing everything?" one of the clerks asks, according to viral video of the July 29, 2023, incident. The thief reportedly responded, "Shut your a** ... before I put my strap on your b**** a**. B**** a** n*****."

One of the clerks blocked the thief and grabbed the trash can while the second clerk grabbed what appeared to be a wooden broomstick at least four feet long. The New York Post reported that while one clerk held the crook down, the second worker whacked the culprit 23 times. "I'm done!" the thief yelled. "I'm going to go."

After confirming the crook didn't have a gun, the employees agreed to let him leave the store empty-handed before police arrived. Stockton police later said they would turn over their findings — which included suspected assault of the would-be robber, a repeat offender to boot — to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for review. But the DA soon said no charges would be brought against the employees. (You can view a video report about the viral beatdown here.)

Female Subway employee fights off armed robbery suspect, grabs thug's own gun, hits him on head with it


A Rockford, Illinois, Subway employee was caught on surveillance video fighting off an armed would-be robber on Sept. 12, 2021 — and even grabbing the thug's own gun and hitting him on the head with it.

Araceli Sotelo was working alone when the unidentified suspect barged into the fast-food restaurant, WTVO-TV reported: "He kind of just showed me his gun, and I was freaking out like, 'Woah, you can't do that, please leave,'" she recalled. "[He said], 'Give me all the money,' and I said, 'I do not have any money, like, I do not have any money.' That is all I had, and he was just like, 'Give me everything before I hurt you.'"

Sotelo said she feared for her life and immediately went into fight mode: "He was smaller than me, so I have that advantage. I'm bigger than him, so I could at least put my weight on him, push him, or something."

Sotelo said the suspect fell to the floor during the fight: "He dropped [the gun] trying to hold onto my purse, and I ended up pulling his sweatshirt off him, and I was like, 'Show your face, show your face, you are on camera.' And he was like, 'Here, you can have your purse back, just give me my stuff.' He wanted me to give him back his gun and his clothes. I just hit him on the head with it; that is what he was doing to me."

The suspect wasn't able to get away with any of the store's money but did reportedly break Sotelo's phone and steal her purse. Sotelo added that her employer soon was on the phone with her.

“I get a call yesterday it was like, 'If every one of these videos are not taken offline, you will be suspended,' and then I texted, [asking] ... like 'How long am I suspended for?' They said till everything is removed online," she said. "I have no ability to do that."

Sotelo added that she believes the owner was trying to avoid notifying Subway's corporate office. According to the New York Post and TMZ, she soon shared the video on her TikTok page. A Subway spokesperson said the corporation is aware of the incident and is deeply concerned but did not confirm or deny that Sotelo had been suspended.

“The restaurant owner and management are fully cooperating with the police investigation, and we request patience until that process is complete," the company said in its statement, noting that it is "in contact with the franchisee to better understand the situation and assist as needed."

Crook hops over counter to steal cash from clerk — but co-workers are in no mood to play as they repeatedly pummel perp until he escapes to safety


A would-be robber got quite a bit more than he could handle when he entered a convenience store in the Bronx and demanded money, according to Crime Stoppers. Surveillance video of the Oct. 23, 2021, incident caught the moment when the suspect climbed atop the counter, casually walked to the edge, and jumped down to the other side to get what he reportedly came for. But two of the clerk's co-workers weren't about to let him get away with his caper — and made him pay in the process. Surveillance video shows one co-worker dressed in white appearing to land at least seven punches upon the would-be robber. A second co-worker dressed in green landed a blow as well — to suspect's head — and wrestled him to the floor. Police said the suspect fled the store, and authorities asked for help in identifying him — for as much as a $3,500 reward.

Crook with hammer picks wrong jewelry store to rob; family members in charge of business punch, kick would-be thief — even whack him with stick before literally ripping shirt off his back as he whimpers off empty-handed


Video caught the moment a would-be thief got walloped when he tried to rob a family-owned jewelry store in El Monte, California, around 2:20 p.m. Sept. 2, 2023. The suspect allegedly pepper-sprayed workers in Meza's Jewelry on Main Street and shattered display cases with a hammer. But family members who run the store were ready to fight back.

"Me, my uncle, and my dad were tugging him out," one employee told KABC-TV. "I was trying to defend my family because as you could see he was hitting my dad and my uncle."

Two employees punched and kicked the would-be robber while a third employee used a large stick to pummel the culprit. During the tussle with employees, the would-be thief lost his shirt to the store clerks, and he was seen on video fleeing the store as employees pursued him. The suspect departed crime scene in a gray Dodge Charger, and police described the suspect as a 35- to 45-year-old black man standing about 6'1", weighing as much as 300 pounds, and sporting some facial hair.

The owner told KNBC the suspect stated upon his departure that "he was gonna kill all of us." Employees were treated for minor injuries. Police said they were investigating. You can watch a video report about the incident here.

'Mama Bear just sprung into action': Instincts kick in for mother, daughter who get into scary scrape with intruder in their store


A mother and daughter battled back against an intruder who entered their southern California store on the evening of Aug. 7, 2022, and tried to steal catered food they prepared, KABC-TV reported.

Carol Garnier — a chef and owner of Prepped with Love in Westminster — told the station the man, possibly a transient, got inside the store around 7:45 p.m. after her last customer departed. However, the door didn't lock after the last customer left, KABC said, and surveillance video shows the intruder entering the store and heading straight for the prepared food inside the glass-door refrigerator. (You can view a video report about the incident here.)

Mary Dao — Garnier's daughter — reacted quickly, later telling the station that "my instincts just kick[ed] in. I don't even know how I knew how to grab that table and push it against him, but it's just all of the adrenaline. I just did what I had to do." At that point, Garnier ran over to help: "Mama bear just sprung into action to protect my property, my daughter, and anything further [from damage]," she told KABC.

Garnier and Dao repeatedly pushed the table against the intruder, and it appeared that prevented him from getting any closer. Video does show him throwing a beer can at Dao's face, the station said, adding that she wasn't injured. "I didn't want him to enter and get behind the counter — that's where our knives are," Garnier told the station, "or go deeper into the fridge and get all of the meals."

It would have been a lot simpler, she told KABC, if the man had just requested some food: "If you just ask, I am more than happy to make you something to eat. But the fact he didn't say anything ... he just came in and just aggressively tried to steal our food is what got me."

Dao is of the same mindset, telling the station, "I was ready to get down and use my hands if I needed to. We've been working hard, making food all day, and that belonged to somebody. They paid for that, and you just can't come in here and take what's not yours."

Garnier told KABC they filed a report with Westminster police, who added to the station that they recognize the intruder in the video and were actively looking for him.

It's 2 against 1, but lone worker still manages to chase down, defeat pair crooks making off with $2,700 in Pokemon cards from his store



Two males walked into the Anime store at the MainPlace mall in Santa Ana, California, on June 26, 2023, and grabbed several boxes of popular Pokémon cards. But after the pair tried to hoof it with their loot, an employee chased them down and fought them — an encounter that outside surveillance video captured.

“We don’t believe the confrontation happened inside the store," Sgt. Maria Lopez told KTLA-TV. "The confrontation happened outside once the employee saw them run from the store."

Turns out the pair dropped the precious Pokémon cards during the struggle but still ran off before police arrived. A security guard can be seen on video running to help but arriving just a few moments too late.

One male was described as Hispanic, about five feet, six inches tall with a thin build, brown eyes, shaved black hair, and a mustache. He was wearing a green, button-up, long-sleeve shirt; black shorts; long white socks; and red/black Jordan sneakers. The other male was described as white, 6 feet tall with a thin build, black hair, and brown eyes. He was wearing black shorts with a gray sweater and long, knee-high socks. You can view a video report about the incident here.

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Blaze News original: 10 times heroic bystanders stepped up despite the dangers and put a stop to violent crimes



Blaze News just days ago published a rundown of "10 times bystanders failed to help victims of brutal violence — and often recorded video instead."

It's rough reading through that list — which is just a small sample of instances when people ignored violent crooks victimizing others right in front of them. Indeed, often bystanders and witnesses to crime don't feel safe or equipped to help crime victims — and there can be dire consequences for people who decide to step up.

'Thank you so much for helping me when I needed help. ... Your mama raised a good boy.'

But when bystanders do get involved to help those getting violently attacked, particularly when their efforts are successful, it's inspiring.

So here are 10 times when heroic bystanders stepped up despite the dangers and put a stop to violent crimes happening right in front of them:

Sheriff's bodycam video shows citizens rescuing deputy under attack during traffic stop and subduing suspect


Volusia (Florida) Sheriff's Deputy Anthony Zimmerer pulled over a motorist who reportedly cut across all lanes of traffic on May 18, 2021. Bodycam video captured the moment Zimmerer stopped the suspect, 41-year-old Frank Padilla Velez, and tried to speak with him. Velez reportedly resisted when the deputy tried to handcuff him, a struggle ensued, and the suspect elbowed the deputy in the head. Two civilians jumped in to help and subdued the suspect; one of the Good Samaritans suffered a gash on the side of his head.

A sheriff's office Facebook post praised "the two outstanding citizens who stopped to help," and Sheriff Mike Chitwood said both of them would be receiving citizen's awards "in recognition of their actions." Chitwood added, "All my respect and gratitude goes out to these two men who took action when they saw a deputy under attack. It makes me proud to know that in Volusia County, our residents still have our deputies' backs.'"

The sheriff's office said the suspect was charged with resisting an officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, driving with a suspended license, careless driving, and expired registration.

Great-grandmother, 76, pulls out her cane, scares away thug who tried to steal elderly neighbor's purse. 'Fear never crossed my mind,' Miss Faye declares.


Miss Faye told KGO-TV she saw what she thought was a rideshare vehicle coming down her Oakland street on Oct. 12, 2022, after which a male exited the car and attacked her neighbor, who is in her late 70s. Ring video from Miss Faye's home — which you can view here — shows the crook pulling on her neighbor's purse as the elderly victim is on her back in the street, hanging on to her property and screaming.

With that, Miss Faye is seen moving as fast as she can out her front door with her cane in hand — and she managed to scare away the thug, who dropped the purse. Miss Faye even chucked her cane at the vehicle as it drove off.

"Fear never crossed my mind — 'cause I'm crazy, I guess," she told KGO with a chuckle. "I don't know. It's just something that's in my nature. I do things, and it doesn't bother me until a couple hours later. That's how I've always been."

And here's a cool update: Miss Faye — whose last name is Taylor — announced in April that she's running for Oakland City Council, KGO noted in a follow-up story. The election takes place in November.

"There's so much crime! But the police station is a block away. It's just that they're not scared — they have no fear," she told the station. "None of these kids have anything to fall back on, a trade to fall back on. I'd love to give teachers a bonus because they're having a hard time with these kids because they have no discipline."

Shoppers take matters into their own hands when male allegedly tries to rape woman in Walmart aisle


Police said a woman was shopping in a northwest Miami Walmart on the evening of March 20, 2022, when 28-year-old Bredan Jarmal Harvey approached her from behind, pulled up her dress, and grabbed her. The suspect allegedly pushed the woman to the floor and "ripped off her underwear while grabbing her thighs and vagina" in the middle of the aisle, according to the arrest report. The victim screamed for help, and shoppers acted quickly, removing Harvey from the victim and subduing him until police arrived and arrested him. You can view video of shoppers subduing the suspect here. Police charged Harvey with attempted sexual battery, and he was being held on $50,000 bond, according to WTJV-TV. Miami-Dade County Court records indicated that Harvey was out on felony bond at the time of the assault for crimes that allegedly occurred one week before the Walmart attack. He also was on probation for a previous disorderly conduct conviction, Law & Crime noted.

Male attempts to kidnap 8-year-old boy right in front of his dad — but suspect doesn't get far, thanks to numerous bystanders who helped chase and restrain him


On March 27, Adrian Villanueva saw a male come up behind his 8-year-old son on a sidewalk in Ocean Beach, California — a San Diego neighborhood — and seemingly try to abduct the boy. It was all caught on surveillance video, which you can view here.

The alleged kidnapper reportedly told Villanueva, "This my son, this is my son," but Villanueva told KMFB-TV, "I pushed him. I said, 'No, he is not your son,' and then I tried to get him out. And that’s when he grabbed my kid, and he started running away through the street."

Good Samaritans and security guards from nearby bars helped thwart the kidnapping attempt and restrained the suspect until police arrived to arrest him. Police said Christopher Higginbotham, 38, was charged with false imprisonment and battery. Citing jail records, KMFB reported that Higginbotham is a wanted fugitive with a "history of felony convictions involving assault with a deadly weapon." Superior Court Judge Dwayne Moring on May 8 sentenced Higginbotham to two years in prison for false imprisonment of a child, KUSI-TV reported.

15-year-old ROTC hero sprints across parking lot, tackles thug who was attacking 65-year-old woman: 'It's just the right thing to do'


Billie Richert was physically attacked outside a Publix supermarket in Riverview, Florida, on Dec. 4, 2023, and later told WTVT-TV her assailant "told me to give him my keys, and I said no and turned away from him, and he was still all over me." Surveillance video — which you can view here — shows the suspect throwing Richert to the ground — and that's when 15-year-old Andrew jumped into action.

"I started chasing after him, and he turned around and tried to fight me," Andrew, a sophomore at Riverview High School, recounted to WTVT, adding that the suspect "was trying to grab my neck and grab my chain, and so I just kind of held him on the ground."

The station added that another hero named Dan, a former Green Beret, helped Andrew subdue the suspect until police arrived

"I mean that could be someone's mom, someone's aunt," Andrew added to WTVT. "Like, if that was my mom, and someone did that to my mom, and he got away, that's just, like, that's terrible."

The origin of Andrew's heroics? "I think it's just the way that I was raised," he told WTVT, "Just doing the right thing. Like, my parents had a huge impact and so did my friends."

Richert wasn’t injured and was in Virginia with family for Christmas when she learned about Andrew, the station said, adding that officials from his school arranged a FaceTime meeting so she could thank her teenage hero. "Thank you so much for helping me when I needed help," Richert told Andrew, adding that "your mama raised a good boy."

Robert Moore, 42, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with robbery by sudden snatching, battery on a victim over 65, and battery, WTVT reported. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said that "the swift actions of these Good Samaritans echo the strength and unity of our tight-knit community."

Bystanders rush over to help as homeless man physically attacks female police officer: 'He had a death grip on her'


Four bystanders came to the aid of a female police officer who was the victim of a homeless man's physical attack in San Francisco's Chinatown, and it was all caught on surveillance video — which you can view here. The attack took place on May 28, 2021, after the officer approached the suspect, who allegedly made racially charged threats against people in the area. The suspect appeared to follow her commands before turning around and attacking her. They both fell to the ground, and several bystanders rushed over to help the officer, after which other officers eventually arrived to arrest the man. One of the men who assisted the officer spoke to reporters about the incident.

"He had a death grip on her," Michael Waldorf — one of the men who came to the officer's aid — told ABC News. "He was holding on very tightly to her, squeezing her, squeezing her head and pulling her hair."

Police said they were investigating whether hate crime charges would apply to the attack against the officer, who is Asian. The officer was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, including a bloody nose. Surveillance video captured an attack a few days later against an Asian-American woman in Chinatown in New York City.

Portland man knocks out active shooter who fired 29 shots, hogties him until police arrive


Luke Stolarzyk launched into a heated argument with his neighbor at the Stephens Creek Crossing apartments over a barking dog around 1:15 a.m. June 29, 2021, according to the Oregonian. Stolarzyk allegedly left the confrontation — only to return with an AR-15 rifle.

Stolarzyk, who was "visibly intoxicated," fired nearly 30 rounds indiscriminately into the southwest Portland apartment building, court documents said. Resident Peroz Khoshnaw said she was on her knees praying after the gunshots rang out; several bullets shattered her windows.

But neighbor John Dickson snuck up on the gunman from behind and hit him with a stick, KATU-TV reported. Dickson wrestled the gun away from Stolarzyk and punched the suspect until he was knocked unconscious.

Court documents said Dickson kneed the rifle out of Stolarzyk's hands, then took away the gun from the shooter before handing it to a bystander, who dismantled the weapon. The neighbors then hog-tied Stolarzyk until police arrived. The arrest warrant said responding officers arrived to find "several people standing around the defendant, who was hogtied and had been beaten up."

Stolarzyk was charged with second-degree attempted murder, four counts of unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree attempted assault, first-degree attempted assault, and 10 counts of recklessly endangering another person, according to KPTV-TV. Stolarzyk's bail was set at $320,000.

KOIN-TV reported in May 2022 that Stolarzyk was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison. He pleaded guilty a month prior to three counts of criminal mischief, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of recklessly endangering another person, the station said, adding that the remaining charges — including one count of attempted murder — were dismissed.

Business owner chases down, tackles homeless male who sucker-punched, robbed elderly victim 


Surveillance video reportedly from Aug. 1, 2022, shows a Hollywood business owner running down a homeless male who sucker-punched an elderly man and stole his personal items. "I took him down and just waited there until the police arrived," Tim Ratcliff told KTTV-TV. Video showed the reportedly homeless man walk into a restaurant and suddenly attack a man, after which the assailant runs off with the victim's phone and wallet. Ratcliff then comes into the video frame, chases after the man, then tackles him on the corner of La Brea Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. Ratcliff said the suspect punched him in the face, but he was otherwise unhurt and held the suspect down until police arrived, the station said.

Ratcliff told KTTV one the officers told him they're tired of seeing so many homeless attacks: "A lot of people like myself are tired of this type of thing happening. We're seeing more and more people just not putting up with it and taking it into their own hands." As for intervening in crime in the future, Ratcliff added to the station that he'd "happily do it again."

Good Samaritan yanks gun from hooded motorcycle rider trying to rob limping man hollering, 'Help!' on NYC sidewalk


The New York Post reported that two suspects on a motorcycle were chasing a 28-year-old pedestrian before cornering the victim around 4:45 p.m. on Aug. 27, 2022. You can view video of the incident on Instagram.

The victim was limping before the crooks caught up to him, video showed. One suspect wearing a blue hoodie was holding a gun in his left hand as he grabbed the victim, the Post said, adding that the suspect punched the victim and appeared to try to grab something off his neck. The victim screamed “help!” six times, video showed. Police said the suspect fired at the victim but missed, the Post reported.

Video then showed the Good Samaritan running toward the scene from behind and going right for the suspect's gun, after which the gunman punched the Good Samaritan in the head, the paper said. But the Good Samaritan managed to pull the crook from the motorcycle and eventually wrestled the gun from his hands, the Post said. The suspect was able to get back on the motorcycle before the other crook — dressed in a dark hoodie — drove the duo away from the scene as the Good Samaritan gave chase to no avail.

The Post reported that the victim suffered minor injuries, and emergency medical personnel took him to a local hospital. No arrests were made at the time, the paper added.

Residents come to the rescue when small boy screams that a thug had kidnapped and was sexually assaulting him: Police


Residents of a Houston neighborhood were hailed as heroes for jumping into action when they heard a small boy yelling about an alleged kidnapping. The 11-year-old told KTRK-TV he was doing laundry at his apartment complex on June 14, 2022, when a man approached him and asked to borrow his laundry card. The boy said he went to ask his mother for permission. "She said yes because she was trying to help someone, you know?" the boy's sister said.

But the suspect allegedly pushed the boy into his car and threatened him with a gun. "He said 'obey me, or else you will get killed,'" the boy — who suffered scratches on his face and arm during the altercation — recalled.

"He grabbed my hands and tried to grab my phone, and put it somewhere else, but he forgot my hands were free," the boy continued. "So I tried to open the lock, I opened it, and I opened the door. ... I went outside and called for help."

That's when neighbors came running. Video shows them grabbing the suspect and holding him down until police arrived. At one point, a woman slaps him. Police identified the suspect as 30-year-old Miguel Angel Cordero Ramirez, and he was charged with aggravated kidnapping and jailed on a $250,000 bond.

The victim said he wanted to be a police officer, and he's more eager than ever to follow his dream now, in light of the harrowing incident. Of the suspect, the victim said, "I want him to stay in jail forever and never do this again."

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'All glory to God': Former wrestler doesn't let thug get away with physically abusing female Subway employee



Gabriel Pitzulo walked into the Subway on East Hanna Avenue on Indianapolis’ south side for his usual lunch on March 22 — a sweet onion chicken teriyaki footlong, WRTV-TV reported.

But when he approached the counter, Pitzulo said he witnessed something much less appetizing — a male verbally and physically abusing a female Subway employee.

“I had walked in and he was visibly assaulting [the employee] ... throwing stuff. I believe I saw him spit at her,” Pitzulo later told WRTV. “And how I was raised, man, you don't do that stuff. It was kind of 'go time' from there.”

Surveillance video shows that as the male turned and walked away from the counter, Pitzulo grabbed him and quickly took him down to the store's floor.

"She didn't seem like she could defend herself ... and I was afraid that he was either leaving to get something to harm her ... she had said that he had threatened to kill her," Pitzulo added to WRTV.

Pitzulo — a former wrester and football player — was able to hold the male until police arrived, the station said.

“I did combat sports for quite a while, so I was completely controlling [him],” Pitzulo explained to WRTV. "He [was] trying to bite me, and I didn't want to punch him or anything. I didn't want to hurt him too bad. I just held him, man.”

Image source: WRTV-TV video screenshot

Daniel Saunders was arrested at the scene and is being charged with battery resulting in bodily injury, the station said, adding that his next hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

District manager Aara Khan told WRTV he's thankful Pitzulo stepped up: "It could’ve turned out very dangerous. Luckily he was here at the right time.”

Image source: WRTV-TV video screenshot

Khan added to the station that Pitzulo is "definitely a hero."

Pitzulo played down the accolade: “All glory to God, man. He's always protected me and put me in situations ... that I can handle. I don't feel like a hero, but I'm glad I did it.”

Oh, and WRTV said the Subway is offering Pitzulo a free sandwich any time he visits.

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'Reacher' star says he imitated his crime-fighting character while on date with his wife and seeing crook breaking into car



"Reacher" star Alan Ritchson said during an interview that he actually imitated his show's crime-fighting character, Jack Reacher, while on date with his wife when they saw a crook breaking into car.

What are the details?

Ritchson broke it all down in a clip posted last week from "etalk," a celebrity program that's part of Canada's CTV network.

“We were on a date in Montreal walking to a very nice dinner all dressed up, and we saw somebody breaking into a car. And, like, she put it together before I did," Ritcher recalled to the program, noting that there was "glass everywhere" and a crook was "rooting through somebody’s stuff and came out with all these bags."

He added that his wife said, "I think he’s breaking into that car." Richter's response? "By gosh, I think you’re right."

Apparently, Richter's wife had an inkling of what might happen next.

"And she goes, ‘Don’t do it!’ And I was like, ‘Instant Reacher Mode,’ and I was like, ‘Some justice has to be done here.’ And I chased that dude like four blocks until I tossed him into a building and the cops came,” Richter added.

In the end, he said his wife was "very mad at me for not just, like, taking her on our date," but Richter noted that "we got there eventually."

@etalkctv Turns out Alan Ritchson is the real-life version of Jack Reacher! 🫢 The star of 'Reacher' told us about stopping a real-life robbery in Montréal while on a date with his wife. 👏 #Reacher #AlanRitchson #JackReacher #storytime #interview #DateNight #Montreal ♬ original sound - etalk

Anything else?

According to the Internet Movie Database, the hit Amazon series "Reacher" focuses on a retired Military Police officer who's arrested for a murder he didn't commit — and who "finds himself in the middle of a deadly conspiracy full of dirty cops, shady businessmen, and scheming politicians. With nothing but his wits, he must figure out what is happening in Margrave, Georgia."

Tom Cruise played the same character in two movies released in 2012 and 2016.

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