Local man watches crime, chases suspects on Milwaukee's northwest side

By WTMJ News Team

CREATED May. 23, 2012

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  • Cody Holyoke reports Video by tmj4.com

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MILWAUKEE- A local man watches a crime, then decides to chase the suspects himself.

The chase spanned about nine or ten blocks and ended at the P.K. Pantry on N. 107th St. and W. Hampton Ave. after a Good Samaritan helped police make their arrests.

Robert Hines still can't believe it all started in his own backyard.  An auto theft attempt crashing to a halt.  "At first, I thought it was a freak incident," said Hines.  "I heard a bang, and when I heard the bang, I looked, and that's when i seen the car coming through the fence."

Police say a 15-year-old slammed a car through though a fence and into another vehicle.  The teen jumped into another stolen car driven by 18-year-old Brandon Smith and took off.  That's when Hines gave chase.

"Why would I chase them?  Because they did a crime, and they should have stopped," said Hines.

Hines got in his truck and tracked the teens to a nearby park.  They sped off through city streets, running over a curb and into a yard blocks away.

Hines ran after the teens and eventually spotted Smith at the P.K. Pantry, trying to use the phone.

Hines yelled at Smith to come outside.  "I was just trying to get him to come out.  I didn't want him to tear up the man's store, because he would have probably tried to fight to get out."

Smith obeyed and Hines held him until police arrived.  Authorities later learned Smith had just been to court the same morning for an auto theft charge.  Hines hopes the suspects get help.

"Everybody deserves a chance. At least a chance. Just don't make the same mistake over and over," said Hines.

Smith has had many chances, according to court records.  Police told TODAY'S TMJ4 he already has an ongoing case and four prior arrests for operating without an owner's consent.

This time, he's also charged with bail jumping.  He'll be back in court on Friday.