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Tree worker nabs alleged burglar who dropped perfume and other loot
By Mark Abramson
MediaNews
San Jose Mercury News
Article Launched:09/04/2007 06:25:25 PM PDT
A man helping take down "Tom" the tree on Easton Drive in Burlingame also helped police take down a burglary suspect Tuesday morning.
Police said the suspect, who has been identified as a 22-year-old San Francisco resident, burglarized two homes in the 1400 block of Drake Avenue, near Easton Drive. The man fled after he was confronted by the resident of the second home that was burglarized, police Sgt. Jim Ford said.
"He ran away and that is where the Tom the Tree guy came in," Ford said, adding that the burglary suspect was not armed.
The man who helped catch the suspect wanted to be identified only by his first name, Chris. He was one of a handful of workers who were in the area to remove the giant eucalyptus nicknamed "Tom the Tree", which city officials blame for causing a massive hump in the road and posing a safety hazard.
Chris said he was setting up barricades on Easton Drive to block off traffic so the crew could start to take down the tree, when he noticed someone running out of a house on nearby Drake Avenue dropping jewelry and other items. Chris, who lives in Burlingame, said he followed the man, noticed he was stashing jewelry, credit cards and other items in bushes, and called police.
"He knew I was on his (butt)," Chris said. "I always wanted to be a hero and take down a scumbag in my town."
Chris said he followed the man to the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of El Camino Real and Easton Drive and told police on his cell phone where the suspect was hiding. The suspect dropped a couple of necklaces, earrings and perfume.
About four police cars pulled up and officers chased the man for a short time before they caught him, Chris said.
By Mark Abramson
MediaNews
San Jose Mercury News
Article Launched:09/04/2007 06:25:25 PM PDT
A man helping take down "Tom" the tree on Easton Drive in Burlingame also helped police take down a burglary suspect Tuesday morning.
Police said the suspect, who has been identified as a 22-year-old San Francisco resident, burglarized two homes in the 1400 block of Drake Avenue, near Easton Drive. The man fled after he was confronted by the resident of the second home that was burglarized, police Sgt. Jim Ford said.
"He ran away and that is where the Tom the Tree guy came in," Ford said, adding that the burglary suspect was not armed.
The man who helped catch the suspect wanted to be identified only by his first name, Chris. He was one of a handful of workers who were in the area to remove the giant eucalyptus nicknamed "Tom the Tree", which city officials blame for causing a massive hump in the road and posing a safety hazard.
Chris said he was setting up barricades on Easton Drive to block off traffic so the crew could start to take down the tree, when he noticed someone running out of a house on nearby Drake Avenue dropping jewelry and other items. Chris, who lives in Burlingame, said he followed the man, noticed he was stashing jewelry, credit cards and other items in bushes, and called police.
"He knew I was on his (butt)," Chris said. "I always wanted to be a hero and take down a scumbag in my town."
Chris said he followed the man to the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of El Camino Real and Easton Drive and told police on his cell phone where the suspect was hiding. The suspect dropped a couple of necklaces, earrings and perfume.
About four police cars pulled up and officers chased the man for a short time before they caught him, Chris said.
