Three Good Samaritans came to the aid of a 44-year old crime victim attacked near Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that suspect Richard Mendoza, 31, came up behind the woman early on Black Friday, choked her, grabbed her purse, pushed her to the ground and kicked her.
The victim’s screams caught the attention of Mike Hochhauser, 31, Kris Frieden, and Angela Deleon. Deleon, 38, saw Hochhauser chasing Mendoza and joined in the pursuit, calling 911 to give a description of Mendoza before returning to the victim.
Mendoza hopped in a cab, but Frieden and Hochhauser blocked the rear passenger doors and yelled at the driver to stay put. Police arrived a few moments later and arrested Mendoza, according to the Tribune.
These Good Samaritans should be commended for their efforts. Luckily they escaped injury during the chase, which included running through Michigan Avenue traffic.
Coming to the aid of a crime victim has its risks.
When Bradford Burner heard a blood-curdling scream and saw a man race through the Westin Hotel and into the streets of the Magnificent Mile he didn’t stop to think, he gave chase.
Burner was closing in on Jimmy Harris, who had just tried to rob Mir Jafar Shah, in the restaurant bathroom and stabbed and struck him during a scuffle before fleeing.
Burner said Harris displayed a knife as he closed in on him. “The next thing I know, he was lunging at me with a sharp object.” Burner was cut on the left side of his chest and fell to the sidewalk.
Situations can become deadly when the knives come out. Few citizens are trained in empty-hand combat against a knife wielding assailant and those who are, know how easy it is to be seriously wounded or killed in a knife fight.
How can we safely respond to a cry for help? Click hear to read more.
