Good Samaritan helps deputies capture suspect in foot chase in Denver

DENVER (KDVR) — Law enforcement is thankful a Lakewood man jumped to action after witnessing a police chase go past him last week.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, who is now in custody, was wanted for aggravated motor vehicle theft. The good Samaritan, Johan Eslava-Osorio, said he was walking with his wife to a grocery store in Denver when it happened.

“There was a car on its rims, it didn’t have tires and there was a lot of fire coming from the rims,” he said.

That’s how he remembers seeing the vehicle come flying through the intersection, the whole incident captured by a Denver police helicopter. After crashing, the suspect exited the vehicle and took off.

“And in that moment, there were a lot of emotions but my first realization was to help the people," said Eslava-Osorio.

That's when he ran after the suspect, chasing him around the block.

“If I didn’t do this, no one was going to," said Eslava-Osorio. "This person was running totally free and dangerous. “

He chased the suspect to a nearby parking lot where he was eventually able to tackle and subdue him. Eslava-Osorio was helped by a driver who was able to block the suspect into the parking lot with their car.

Eslava-Osorio said it was a scary experience, but one he wouldn’t hesitate to do again.

"You know that it is important to protect your community and if we all behaved and helped each other, this would be a much safer world for everyone," he said.