FDNY Engine 28 versus the pickpocket
“We’re here to make sure the city’s safe in any which way,” said Firefighter Kevin Ruiz, of Engine 28.
Apparently so for Firefighter Kevin Ruiz, was with his crew from Engine 28 food shopping in Alphabet City, when he saw a man dig his hand into a woman’s open purse as she shopped at a fruit stand.
“She had her bag completely open and a gentleman snuck up behind her and he went into her bag and he took her phone,” Ruiz said.
“At first I thought it was just like a joke. Like I thought the guy knew the lady, but the next thing you know the guy started walking away,” firefighter Sandy Guzman said.
When they realized it wasn’t a joke the two firefighters inside the truck called the cops while Ruiz and Guzman ran towards the man.
When he saw them approach the suspect quickly returned the woman’s phone and took off running.
Firefighters chased the man down 13th Street from First Ave to Avenue B, where they held him until police arrived.
