Posted on 02/12/2015 7:44:46 AM PST by Brother Cracker
Charlie Burton was walking to the food court at crowded Washington Crown Center during the Washington County Sportsmen’s Show to grab a bite Saturday afternoon when he spotted a mall security guard struggling to take a retail theft suspect into custody.
The 75-year-old sprang into action, grabbing the arm of 29-year-old Jonathan J. Fekete Jr. as he struggled with security officer Scott Clutter. Burton, of Fombell, was a vendor at the sportsmen’s show, selling pens crafted out of bullets.
“It happened so quickly,” said Burton. “I just grabbed his arm and started twisting it. The security guard had him by the other arm and was trying to take him down.
“It was quite a tangle with the fella because he was so strong. I don’t think anyone could’ve taken him down by themselves,” he added. “He kept telling me to stop twisting his arm. I wonder what he’d do if he knew one of the people he was tussling with was twice his age.”
Fekete, of Bellaire, Ohio, had reportedly just stolen clothing valued at $200 from Macy’s, stuffing the items in his jacket, North Franklin police said. The store security officer tried to stop him when he left the store. She started chasing him and alerted mall security.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-46th District witnessed the 3:40 p.m. incident and posted a photo on Facebook with the comment, “I have to give a huge shout-out to Charlie (or Super Charlie!)”
“He had his hand and twisted it and was not letting go,” the senator said Monday of Burton. “How dumb do you have to be to shoplift in a mall completely packed with sportsmen?”
“Half the people in the mall were packing,” she speculated, and noted there were also numerous state Fish and Boat and Game Commission officers there.
Members of the police Blue Knights were also there selling tickets for the Harley-Davidson the organization raffles off as part of its annual Blue Ride in July. Officer Rodney Bush, an off-duty North Franklin officer, came to assist getting Fekete into custody.
Township police also learned that Fekete was wanted on a warrant obtained by police in Munhall, Allegheny County. He is wanted on drug charges in connection with a December 2013 incident in that borough.
Fekete was arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson on charges of retail theft and simple assault. He was placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 19 before District Judge Robert Redlinger.
As for Burton, he was happy to help. Burton and Clutter each received small cuts on their hands during the scuffle. Burton’s hat was knocked off his head.
“My wife asked me if I was nuts,” Burton said. “But I would have felt bad if the officer got hurt.”
Good on the gentleman for helping.
I saw an interview of Mr. Burton. He’s the real deal.
And the suspect has to be a real idiot. Law enforcement all over plus people packing heat. He picked the wrong time and place to commit a robbery.
“How dumb do you have to be to shoplift in a mall completely packed with sportsmen?”
“Half the people in the mall were packing,” she speculated, and noted there were also numerous state Fish and Boat and Game Commission officers there.
The above statement reminded me of this ad for Glock:
“Someone picked the wrong diner”
All that testosterone and fire power crawling all over the place and it was up to an unarmed 75 y/o to get the job done.
Why are they picking on this poor undocumented shopper?/s
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