HENRICO, VA (WWBT) -
A Henrico man's quick action may have helped bust a burglary ring in Henrico's West End. When the homeowner saw the crooks driving away with "his" property...he ran after them and jumped on the getaway car!
"Everything started hitting me afterwards," said Peter Bailey. "Whether they had a gun or a knife in the truck didn't even cross my mind at first."
Bailey was driving along Three Chopt and Pemberton when he noticed his two stolen ATVs on the back of a truck. Bailey jumped out of his car and went straight for the suspect's keys.
"The guy in the passenger seat started punching my arm," said Bailey. "I got away from the truck, and I started screaming for somebody to call the cops."
Police would later arrest Anthony Edward Hope. Hope is charged with assault and larceny of an ATV. Bailey says the suspect cut the straps and released one of the vehicles into the street.
"I was in shock to ever think that I was going to have my four-wheeler back just a week after it was stolen," said Bailey's roommate Dillon Padgett.
Padgett and Bailey were even more surprised to learn police later recovered a "significant" number of other stolen items.
"Detectives are still working through the cases," said Lt. Linda Toney with Henrico Police. "It's safe to say that the investigation is ongoing and other charges may be placed."
Bailey says this all hits too close to home.
"Less than a quarter mile away," said Bailey. "Right up the street in the next neighborhood."
Padgett is thankful for Bailey's quick action.
"I've known Peter since elementary school and to know that he could have a part in breaking this whole crime ring," said Padgett. "It's just outstanding."
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