Construction worker helps RPD catch burglary suspects

Posted at: 10/09/2012 5:45 PM | Updated at: 10/09/2012 5:51 PM
By: Christine VanTimmeren | WHEC.com

A city neighborhood has been on the lookout for burglary suspects, after a number of homes were broken into. But thanks to the work of a good samaritan in the area, those suspects are now in police custody.

A local construction worker is being praised by the Rochester Police Department and News10NBC got a chance to hear what he did to catch the burglars.

He didn’t want his face on camera. He’s a construction worker working on a long term project and he didn’t want to suffer retaliation for speaking out. He also doesn’t want to be labeled a hero. But his actions in helping to ease the fear and worry of an entire neighborhood deserve to be praised.

Ordinary people do extraordinary things everyday. Whether it's for their country, their community, their family or in this case, complete strangers.

Captain Wayne Harris, Rochester Police Department, said, “I am thankful that there was someone that was willing to assist us.”

The neighbor around Electric Avenue and Dewey Avenue has been on edge for weeks after a rash of burglaries.

Captain Harris said, “We have a good amount of resources deployed to this area just for the burglary problem. It’s not excessive, but it is something we wanted to address.”

Right now, the neighborhood is also under construction. Adam Fisher is one of the construction workers. His day last Thursday started out like any other until…

Adam Fisher, constuction worker, said, “I noticed an individual running from between two houses and he was looking over his shoulder running from something.”

He knew it had to be the burglary suspect. So he did the first thing that came to his mind, he went after him.

Anthony Baumbarger, neighbor, said, “I just seen some guys running like across that way and then some dude coming out after him and they were running down the street.”

Captain Harris said, “He took it upon himself to help us out by taking off and running after the suspect, and sort of pointing us in the right direction as we responded into the area.”

Fisher ran the suspect down and right into police custody. While the chase was on neighbors called 911 and the police were able to get there within minutes.

Captain Harris said, “So this was a combined effort, it wasn't just him. He was notable in that he literally took off after the young man.”

Baumbarger said, “I mean he's a construction worker just trying to do his job and it's a good thing he did.”

Rochester Police say they were able to take two suspects into custody. They were both in their teens. Police think they are the ones responsible for several home burglaries.

Right now, they aren't sure if there are any more people responsible. So they will continue to keep officers in that area.   

Police say while they really don't want people to go chasing down suspects because it could be dangerous. They do want the public to always let them know about suspicious activity as soon as they see it.

Have a story you want our news team to investigate? Call us at 585-232-1010, click here to send us an e-mail or leave us a Facebook post or tweet.

Print Story