November 13, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, California—Lily Ho and her partner Tom House were on a routine trip to Chinatown to buy groceries on Sunday, November 1 when they noticed commotion along Stockton Street, According to ABC 7.
The couple soon had to spring into action once they witnessed an alleged thief snatch a cell phone right out of an elderly woman’s hand.
“When you see someone especially an older woman yelling for help, you just help and react,” Lily and Tom said.
House explained Ho was driving and asked her if he should go after the suspect. She vehemently replied “yes” and the pair took off, chasing the perpetrator down in their Jeep. A couple of blocks later, House, a 25-year service member, jumped out and gave chase on foot, according to ABC 7.
“I turn and I say ‘hey give me the phone back’ and he like turned and looked his eyes got really big and he turned and threw the phone at me,” he said.
Also witnessing the incident was Leanna Louie, a U.S. Army Veteran, and Rob Lowe. They’re the founders of the United Peace Corps, a neighborhood watch group, formed at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. They stood by and consoled the victim and then jumped in themselves, according to ABC 7.
“We chased him down to Turk Murphy alley across from the station,” Louie said.
San Francisco Police soon arrived and arrested the suspect, thanks to community teamwork.
“We’re so happy nobody was injured in this incident, that’s always a good thing, although we don’t recommend citizens approach or confront suspects on their own accord,” said Tiffany Hang, public information officer for the department.
When Dion Lim asked if he questioned his safety?
“I sat back and thought about it, and I was like, if he had a gun and turned and shot, it would’ve been bad,” House said. “But I don’t know. I didn’t think of it at the time I just jumped.”
Both groups of Good Samaritans have a request to others who might one day be witnesses to crimes themselves.
“We have seen so many of these cases that just go unnoticed and un-arrested,” Louie said.
“What we should all do as a community: See something, Say something, do something,” Ho said.
Feature Images via Dion Lim