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A suspected porch pirate in Westchester County, New York, met with an unexpected roadblock as he attempted to flee from law enforcement earlier this month.
Francisco Jose Eder Mateo, 27, was apprehended with the help of a quick-thinking city worker who intervened and tackled the thief to the ground, an encounter captured on camera and reported by the New York Post.
The January 3 incident took place after Eder Mateo was allegedly caught on a Ring doorbell video stealing packages from a front porch. The homeowner, alerted by the footage on his phone, promptly contacted the police.
Yonkers police responded and immediately initiated a foot pursuit after spotting Eder Mateo walking on a residential sidewalk. As seen on bodycam and surveillance footage, the chase ended when a public works employee from Yonkers decided to take matters into his own hands.
The city worker suddenly emerged from his vehicle and clotheslined Eder Mateo, bringing him to the ground. With officers in close pursuit, the good Samaritan’s intervention aided in the suspect’s capture.
Yonkers police released a statement praising the collaborative effort to combat crime.
“This video shows what happens when everyone works together seamlessly to stop crime,” the department posted on X.
Eder Mateo now faces charges of fourth-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, both felonies, as well as several misdemeanors.
The Yonkers Police Department said it remains committed to protecting residents from such incidents.
“Our residents, officers, and city employees will not stand by and allow you to victimize people in this city,” police said.
The X post humorously referred to Eder Mateo as a modern-day Grinch.
“Christmas may be over, but the spirit of the Grinch is still alive in some people…” the department wrote.
Despite being charged with felonies, Mateo was released on his own recognizance at his arraignment.
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