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Calls of ‘Chaptzem!’ Lead to Apprehension of Mugger

A Jewish woman was walking on Kingston Ave. and Union St. at around noon today, when an African-American teenager – who was probably skipping school – grabbed her phone and ran away.

A witness impulsively yelled “chaptzem” on the bustling street, and before you could blink, shopkeepers, customers, passersby and even a traffic cop were off chasing him.

The mugger ran down Union St. toward Albany Ave., but when he saw the ‘mob’ that was chasing him he gave up and stopped.

The vigilant community members held him until the police arrived, who took him to the station. The phone was promptly returned to its owner.

A bystander told Crownheights.info that as he was being led into the police cruiser, the perp said to the crowd “You guys did good. I’m sorry.”

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21 Comments

  • relative.

    “The mugger ran down Union St. toward Albany Ave., but when he saw the ‘mob’ that was chasing him he gave up and stopped.”
    It was actually a Jewish guy walking on Union that saw the perp escaping in his direction, and blocked his way.

  • Well done!

    THAT is a community working together. Keep it up for all communal issues and Moshiach will be here.

  • Another Community Organizer ?

    What was the Police Chatting with the Perp.. Was this a sort of Community Service Intervention by the Police Officer …. why carry handcuffs then ?

  • Only kind of language they understand

    Well done to those who took action. The public threat posed by the greedy, the violent, and the uncivilized can only be stopped by acting in a ‘language’ they understand. Unlikely he’ll be arrested, though, the way things are here..

  • cmmt

    well, yashar koach to those who took part. community effort brings us together, may it only be for revealed good, besoros tovos.
    I am seeing alot about the fact that this problem can be reduced by taking care of the school kids and other community issues such as home dysfunction issues, etc. It is time to do it.
    There is no reason why those people have to be doing that, its not good for their quality of life either. All the way around its just got to be dealt with.

  • GREAT JOB!

    OFFICER RICH SILVERSTEIN DID A GREAT JOB! HE CAME LIGHTNING FAST! I WONDER HOW HE DID THAT? KEEP IT UP! THANK YOU!

  • shmuly

    actually someone coming from the other direction stood in his way and caught him

  • Bloomberg Not Happy

    Bloomberg may not be happy about this , Traffic Agents distracted from giving Tickets.

  • DeClasse- Intellectual

    Everyone was lucky. You never know what kind of perp you have and what he might do.
    Many of the citizen awarness courses designed to help prevent incidents such as this have suggested the following four guide lines for cell-phone and I-pad users. First, have insurance, so if you break it or lose it or it is stolen you get another one. Insurance is cheeper that getting hurt trying to protect the phone. Alright it is an inconvience to fill out a police report but is it not an inconvience if the food store does not have Romanine lettuce owing to a bacterial recall(There were two before Pesach not too long ago. Second, Never have any information that reveals your personal identity information to any unknown and un authorized person. Third, do not use your cell phone in the manner it becomes an open target. Finally, if the theif grabs the phone, let it go because you might get hurt resisting the theft or the perp might have backup who will wack you.
    Much more on personal care, awareness and saftey are tought by Vahallia Institute, Frontsight and so forth to help you advoid situations and help to respond in the best manner to ensure your saftey and those with you.

  • CH Anony

    This is wonderful to read and it teaches a lesson to other youth. When you stand up to people, it throws them off guard.

    Unfortunately, CH is home to a lot of children of single parent households, they have no direction and a lack of consequence for their actions. Their purpose and potential is obscured by what they’re taught from those older and around them.

    If this kid is a minor, he’ll end up in family court.

  • rivky

    what drives these sick people???? Who just snatches phones form people its so low-life and dosgutsing!

  • yoyo

    a whole eber reunion. i love it!!!!

    on a different note, at lefferts park, shabbos afternoon, a yidishe girl was playing at the water fountain, which sprayed a goyish girl, the goy went to her mother, the mother told her something…i watched this, the girl went to the yidishe girl and hit her, while the mother and her friend laughed…
    the yidishe girl was being naughty perhaps, but it was not intentional to get someone wet, my point, these goyim are being raised with uneducated parents, who don’t care for their manners, they teach them violence and that there’s power in strength…poor them,,,

  • Uncle Mendel

    Again Racial Profiling !!! Stop Accusing your ARFrican American brothers and sisters of committing crimes. I mean, Jews also commit crimes. Ours are double parking, etc.

    Thanks for Shopping ARLANS !!!

  • anticipating

    #2 what does moshiach have to do with this? i thought he is coming anyway

  • John Doe

    TO EVERYONE: I have seen that boy wearing an FDNY High School uniform…. if this kid is in school for Public Safety, & he’s going around doing this, something is seriously wrong.