A California man said he was not a hero and was simply protecting his neighborhood after he was seen on video struggling with a robber and waiting for police to arrive.
Paul Markham, who lives in Venice, He told KABC TV. The robbery suspect actually jumped on his arm as he was leaving the Dudley Market seafood restaurant during the second robbery, police said.
“They jumped out of the window and came back into my arms, and we ended up having a little wrestling match there. I locked them in and sat on them for about 20, 25 minutes. ”
Footage obtained by KABC shows the suspect walking away from the store with what appears to be a cash register under his arm.
Markham said the suspect returned to the store and attempted to steal money from the tip box. As the suspect tried to climb out the window, he became trapped in Markham’s arms.
He held the suspect down until police arrived and the store owner came to help. Video of the altercation showed the suspect begging to be released.
Police say the robbery suspect has been identified as transgender.
The robbery was one of seven incidents Los Angeles Police Department said occurred around the same area that night. They were able to arrest two other suspects in these robberies and are actively investigating if they are related.
Markham told KABC he’s not a hero or a good Samaritan, but just protecting his neighborhood.
“This is my neighborhood. That’s it. No Good Samaritans, no heroes,” he added. “I live here. This is my neighborhood.”
He said the altercation left him with scars on his hands and arms.
Venice is known worldwide as a popular destination in Southern California, but residents are reporting a spike in crime and violence due to a worsening homelessness crisis. The city made headlines after residents complained that local authorities cleared a homeless encampment only when socialist independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders visited to stop campaigning.
The average price of a home in Venice is about $1.9 million, down from a high of $2.2 million in 2023. according to To Redfin.
The interview with Markham follows:
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