A Tampa, Fla., cab driver and a delivery woman rushed to prevent a resisting suspect from beating up a police officer Wednesday.
Officer Michael Collins responded to a call about a man walking through a hotel and stealing a key ring from the hotel manager, reports WTSP. Collins approached the potential suspect, but the man, Luis Manual Vila, refused to cooperate, police said.
When Collins tried to take the man into custody, Vila hit him, according to police. Using a stun gun on Vila also didn’t control him and he kept attacking the officer.
A cab driver noticed the altercation and tried to jump in to save the officer. Vila hit the cab driver as well. At that point, a female delivery driver entered the fray and grabbed the suspect’s feet. She eventually sat on his legs to keep him from moving.
Collins was able to arrest Vila. The Tampa Police Department’s police chief praised the citizens who jumped to the rescue.
“It is gratifying to see citizens willing to get involved. It’s a miracle that no one was seriously injured. This could have ended tragically. Officer Collins showed tremendous restraint, and I can’t say enough about the two citizens who aided one of our officers. They were not afraid to get involved,” Police Chief Eric Ward said in a statement.
A Baton Rouge, Louisiana female recently leaped onto a suspect’s back to try and stop him from hitting a police officer with a baton. (RELATED: Black Woman Jumps In To Save Police Officer From Danger)
“I could see in his eyes he needed help,” said Vickie Williams-Tillman. “You don’t have time to think about it … I did what God needed me to do.”
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