What are Neighbors For?

Jim is our neighbor!

Tackle of suspect wins award for Mesa man

Senta Scarborough
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 10, 2005 12:00 AM Jim Contreras hadn't played football in years, but when a fleeing suspect ran toward his Mesa home, the former high school defensive end tackled and held him until police arrived.

This week, Mesa police honored him for capturing a suspect who fled from Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Mesa officers July 17.

"I just didn't want him going into my house. I'm not a hero. I think anyone would do it to protect their family," said Contreras, 46, a construction superintendent. "The award should be for them. They do this everyday. This was just a reaction."


Contreras's 7-year old son, Nicholas, also received an award from Mesa police for helping to protect his family by going inside his house when his father asked and locking the front door.

He was made a junior deputy by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

"It was scary," Nicholas Contreras, who wants to become a police officer, said. "I thought he was going to come into the house."

Mesa police Officer James Keeling recommended Contreras and his son for the awards.

The man, who had several outstanding warrants, ditched his car on U.S. 60, fled into the neighborhood and tried to enter several homes.

He was caught in the 1400 block of South Nassau near Val Vista Road and Southern Avenue.

It was a Sunday and Contreras was having a cup of coffee when he heard a helicopter. He and his son went outside and saw a man running with a bag and police cars approaching. He sent his son into the house.

Contreras went behind his vehicle and when the man ran between Contreras's two vehicles, headed toward his home, he threw the coffee cup down and tackled the man. They wrestled until Contreras subdued him about 10 feet from the front door. In seconds, police arrived and took the suspect into custody.

"I tackled him like I did in high school," said Contreras, who suffered a minor head injury in the scuffle.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/mesa/articles/1210m-citizenawardZ11.html