Police say two Savannah residents took action Monday night when a man robbed at pet store, chasing the suspect into the middle of Victory Drive and holding him for arriving officers.
Stephen Bernard Kibler, 44, of East 39th Street, was charged with robbery by intimidation after grabbing money from a cash register at Pet Smart on Victory Drive about 9 p.m., said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
WSAV-TV anchor Russ Riesinger was behind the man in the checkout line, witnessed the robbery and chased Kibler into the median on Victory where he and another bystander held him for police, Miller said.
Metro Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin praised the efforts of Riesinger and another resident who was not identified in a police report, but he cautioned residents to make thoughtful, reasonable and prudent decisions about becoming physically involved in captures.
“We certainly appreciate and welcome the public becoming involved in the safety of the community and their efforts are crucial to our efforts,” Lumpkin said. “Cases are quickly closed and dangerous subjects removed from streets when witnesses identify them and advise officers the direction they ran. Typically, police officers are better trained to handle physical confrontations and equipped to do so. I worry when untrained citizens are involved.”
Police officers were on scene a minute after the call came in and took Kibler into custody, Miller said.
Lumpkin plans to officially recognize the efforts of the two citizens this week.
“While I prefer that the public avoid physical confrontation, the involvement by witnesses in solving crimes is crucial to curtailing crimes in every jurisdiction,” Lumpkin said. “My thanks go out to Mr. Riesinger and the other gentleman who took action and took a stand.”