Man Halts Crime, Is Charged by Suspect

A good Samaritan commended by police for subduing a purse-snatching suspect now faces criminal charges because the suspect charged him with assault.

James Walski, 30, was in a Newark tavern last month when he heard a woman outside screaming as a man, later identified as Darryl Dunnell, 20, allegedly attempted to steal her pocketbook, police said.

Walski and two other men chased Dunnell and pinned him to the ground until policemen arrived and arrested him, officials said. Walski received a letter of commendation from the commander of the East District of the Newark police, thanking him for “a job well done.”

Walski said he was summoned soon afterward to Newark Municipal Court, where he was told he would be arraigned on an assault charge for “twisting and jumping on” Dunnell’s arm.