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You Won't Believe What Happens When These Citizens Fight Crime

From a protective daughter to high school wrestling coaches, these everyday people stand in the way of alleged criminal activity
By Christian McLaren
You Won't Believe What Happens When These Citizens Fight Crime

From a protective daughter to high school wrestling coaches, these everyday people stand in the way of alleged criminal activity

Gun right in my face is say, give me your money. Most crimes occur when police are out of sight. There was *** guy all the way to the right and he was hand signaling saying like get out. And that's when we were like, ok, something's going on. Absolutely brilliant. This is classic old school police work without warning. Ordinary people can find themselves in the middle of *** crime scene. He's getting angry because I wasn't letting him go and he's like, lady just let me go. I said, I'm sorry, he ran from the parking lot when he heard me screaming, these good Samaritans risk life and limb when confronted with danger. Everybody said, oh, you could have had *** knife or something and stabbed you. There's always *** risk. You don't know if the person that you're trying to detain is armed and you don't know how they're gonna fight. He tells me they messed with the wrong guy. She's amazing. She's just very, very brave.
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You Won't Believe What Happens When These Citizens Fight Crime

From a protective daughter to high school wrestling coaches, these everyday people stand in the way of alleged criminal activity
By Christian McLaren
Stream full episodes of “Crimes, Cons and Capers” now by downloading the Very Local app for free.What happens when everyday citizens witness a crime?Intervening comes with risks. "You don't know if the person that you're trying to detain is armed and you don't know how they're going to fight," observes criminal defense attorney Lance Fletcher.Rutgers Law School Associate Professor of Law Thea Johnson echoes the sentiment: "If you don't have to do it, you shouldn't do it. You should leave it to the police." Dumb & DumbbellsOutside the Warrior Fitness gym, one fugitive jumps into action. "The suspect basically ran into the arms of the, you know, the gym patrons," comments Thea. Fight or FightIn Oklahoma City one day in 2019, nail salon owner Mr. Sun looked up to see a gun pointed at him. Unfortunately for the assailant, Mr. Sun's martial arts training kicks in. "But even with his calmness and even with his careful thought, that gun still went off," observes Thea. Medal of DishonorDuring the 2017 holiday season, Mary Bennet is at home with her elderly father when she hears a commotion. Downstairs, she finds her father lying on the floor. Standing above him is an unwelcome guest. "And then I just tackled him," she shrugs.Watch people be forced to step up in the full episode of Crimes, Cons & Capers: "Citizen vs. Con," streaming for free on the Very Local app.Crimes, Cons & Capers, a Very Local original series, is a fast-paced look at headline-grabbing crimes and far-fetched escapades across the country.What is Very Local?Very Local is a streaming app where you can watch local news, original series and more. Keep connected to your hometown with the news team you trust and discover original series and specials that explore your community and beyond.Follow Very Local on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more.

Stream full episodes of “Crimes, Cons and Capers” now by downloading the Very Local app for free.

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What happens when everyday citizens witness a crime?

Intervening comes with risks. "You don't know if the person that you're trying to detain is armed and you don't know how they're going to fight," observes criminal defense attorney Lance Fletcher.

Rutgers Law School Associate Professor of Law Thea Johnson echoes the sentiment: "If you don't have to do it, you shouldn't do it. You should leave it to the police."

Dumb & Dumbbells

Outside the Warrior Fitness gym, one fugitive jumps into action. "The suspect basically ran into the arms of the, you know, the gym patrons," comments Thea.

Fight or Fight

In Oklahoma City one day in 2019, nail salon owner Mr. Sun looked up to see a gun pointed at him. Unfortunately for the assailant, Mr. Sun's martial arts training kicks in.

"But even with his calmness and even with his careful thought, that gun still went off," observes Thea.

Medal of Dishonor

During the 2017 holiday season, Mary Bennet is at home with her elderly father when she hears a commotion. Downstairs, she finds her father lying on the floor. Standing above him is an unwelcome guest. "And then I just tackled him," she shrugs.

Watch people be forced to step up in the full episode of Crimes, Cons & Capers: "Citizen vs. Con," streaming for free on the Very Local app.

Crimes, Cons & Capers, a Very Local original series, is a fast-paced look at headline-grabbing crimes and far-fetched escapades across the country.

What is Very Local?

Very Local is a streaming app where you can watch local news, original series and more. Keep connected to your hometown with the news team you trust and discover original series and specials that explore your community and beyond.


Follow Very Local on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more.