Nabbing a Fugitive - Our Blockwatch In Action!

Hello Neighbors:

Just wanted to pass on our experience on Sunday AM where the keen eyes and ears of our neighborhood did their job in protecting our blocks within RM.

I got a knock at my door about 8 to 810 am.  A young man...16 at the most was panting, bent over in catching his breath and very sketchy.  He said he was being chased by several people and needed to come inside to hide.  I asked him to leave my property since I did not want a fight in my driveway.  He said no and crouched down behind my cars to hide himself from being seen by the road.  I told him maybe we needed to get him some help from the police.  I went inside to dress and look around from the 2nd story.  I did not see anyone coming down the street or looking for anyone.  I asked my wife to call 911 as I went back outside.

The young man asked again to come inside.  I said no.  I asked why he was being threatened.  He told me some lady had her kids after him.  I told him to go and hang out by the pier where people were fishing and leave my driveway.  He would not and kept hiding around my cars...again walking towards the front door and saying he needed to go inside.  I went back inside to look around from the back yard to see what may be coming down the street. 

I stayed inside while he was skittishly walking around our driveway and dirt lot just next door.  Within about 5 minutes a Maricopa PD car pulled up to my driveway.  He talked to the young man and asked him to get into the car.  I came out and asked what was happening.  He took my contact info and explained that a person fitting this description was just reported jumping a fence a few blocks away...possibly robbing a house. 

When I got to church I was met by a member that lives 3 streets behind us on Merced.  He (or his neighbor) apparently heard something coming from a home that is typically a winter visitor home.  Knowing this they kept watch and saw someone jump a fence.  The police were called related to an attempted robbery.  The suspect showed up at my home wanting to hide.  Not believing his "story" I did not help him...but hope that he will get the help he needs to change his ways.  I felt that I had missed a "Dog" moment (referring to Dog the Bounty Hunter, TV Show) to talk to the teen and help him realize this was not a good path in life.  My prayers are with him to choose to change.

Please keep an eye out for those homes around us.  We all need your help.  Thanks for being great neighbors...and thanks Maricopa PD for responding quickly.