The Region : Neighbors Catch, Hogtie Theft Suspect

A man accused of auto burglary was captured by residents of a Hancock Park apartment house, who hogtied him and turned him over to police. Sgt. Hank Davis said Lavelle Steese, 30, was bound hand and foot and was lying on the front lawn when police arrived at an apartment complex on North Alexandria Avenue. “Had him . . . tied him up like you see on TV and rodeos,” Davis said. Witnesses told officers they found two men breaking into cars. The other man fled. Davis said the whole neighborhood seemed to be cheering and applauding as officers loaded the suspect into their car for the ride to Rampart Station, where he was booked on suspicion of auto burglary.