Watch CBS News

Brooklyn District Attorney Helps Police Catch Robbery Suspect In Flatbush

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A trip to the barber shop turned Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson into a hero.

On Saturday, police said a good Samaritan was giving chase to a man who had just stolen a wallet from an elderly woman in Flatbush, CBS2 reported.

Brooklyn District Attorney Helps Police Catch Thief In Flatbush

Thompson saw this as he was coming out of Nelson's Barber Shop on Parkside Avenue with his 8-year-old son.

Thompson and his two-member security team got into his car and followed the man, who led them on a wild ride.

"We continue to follow him, he doubles back and he goes in the opposite direction, we turn the car around to try to corner him, then he turns back around," Det. Bernie Gifford said.

Eventually, Gifford and his partner ran after the suspect and tackled him while Thompson called 911, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.

"He [Thompson] was very excited and happy that we could apprehend somebody and bring a little justice to Brooklyn," Gifford said.

As CBS2's Scott Rapoport explained, the perp probably had no idea who would ultimately nail him.

"I think he would have got away if we had not intervened," Thompson said.

Thompson is used to putting criminals away for their crimes, but never like this.

"People are screaming 'stop him, he's just committed a crime,'" Thompson explained.

The victim of the crime identified the suspect from surveillance tapes.

Koheleth Griem, 61, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

The suspect has at least 29 prior arrests on his record, CBS2 reported.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.