‘Heroes’ in Stalker Case All Cared

There is a common denominator connected with all residents being called “heroes” in the capture of the prime suspect in the Night Stalker case: instead of sitting back and letting someone else, anyone else, do it, they cared enough about their community and neighbors to get involved.

That kind of spirit becomes even more meaningful--and noteworthy--when it involves a 13-year-old like James Romero III, a Mission Viejo eighth-grader. The boy was identified Thursday by Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates as a “hero” because his report about a “suspicious” car and the partial license-plate number he provided led to the identification and eventual arrest of the suspected serial killer who attacked two people in Romero’s neighborhood.

Police had kept young Romero’s identity a secret for the family’s safety. But last Thursday he was honored and presented with gifts of $4,500 in cash from private donors, an off-road, three-wheel motorcycle--and well-deserved thanks from a grateful community.

Romero said he didn’t really know the significance of the suspicious vehicle he reported seeing, but added his hope that “other people who see stuff like that report it.” They should. Romero may not have know the full importance of what he reported, but at age 13 he showed how well he knew the importance of being a good and caring neighbor.