I was up late Sunday night into Monday morning. I happened to be reading an email from Alma about truck tailgates when I heard loud noises outside (12:45 AM).
I went outside to investigate and saw a person wearing a trenchcoat walking along the sidewalk to the South (on Emerson). He was several houses away but I witnessed firsthand what was making the noise - as he walked past recycle bins he reached out and knocked them over and into the street. I looked toward Guadalupe and sure enough all of the bins in that direction were already overturned.
I yelled at him to come back and pick up his mess. He didn't look back but I know he heard me because he didn't knock over the next two bins he passed. He then crossed the street, went a little further South, and turned on to Plata.
I went back in the house, got my keys, got my cell phone, got in my vehicle, and went to track him down. As I turned on to Plata I saw overturned bins all along the South side of the street. I slowly drove up the street and witnessed him knocking over more bins.
I kept my distance and called 911. Told them it was not a true emergency but explained what was happening. The operator asked me for details and stayed on the line as the suspect made it to Extension and down past Portobello. Once I made contact with an officer the operator thanked me for my call and hung up.
The first squad car pulled up and made contact with me. The officer asked me to sit tight for a few minutes, and approached the suspect. He hit the lights and the spotlight, then he made the guy take off his coat and sit on the curb with his hands up in the air. Seconds later another squad car raced past and stopped for assistance.
One of the officers on the scene contacted me within a few minutes (calling my cell) and said it looked like they'd be with the guy for some time so he thanked me and said I could head home.
Pretty exciting night/morning.
The thing that stuck in my head after the incident was being thanked by the operator and the officer. They truly appreciate it when we watch over our neighborhood and call them in when needed.
