Hit-and-Run : Valencia Man Honored for Role in Arrest

A Valencia man, who raced his van through Pacoima streets to chase a suspected hit-and-run driver, was honored Friday by the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Tom Bradley.

Paul Watkins, 31, was driving a produce delivery truck on Oct. 3 when he saw a car hit a man on a motorcycle and then speed away.

“I saw the accident and the man fly over my truck. I thought he was dead,” Watkins said. “I became so enraged when I saw the other guy drive off. All I could think of was to chase him down.”

Watkins trailed the man for several blocks, but lost him. However, he continued to search side streets, Police Capt. Valentino Paniccia said.

During the search, Watkins said, he was thinking that he would place the man under citizen’s arrest, which he had studied in a paralegal class.

When Watkins spotted the car parked on a residential street, he said, he pulled alongside the man and yelled, “You’re under citizen’s arrest. Hand me your keys and get in my van.”

The man appeared frightened and at first obeyed, but a few moments later bolted from the van, Watkins said. As he fled, Watkins snatched the wallet from his pocket. Police used that identification to track down and arrest the man.

Bradley praised Watkins’ actions, saying that “far too often people do not get involved. You chose to get involved and deserve congratulations.”

The victim, William Hernandez, 18, of Sylmar suffered facial injuries in the accident.

The suspect, Rigoberto Salazar, 20, has been charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license and damaging property, police said.

Watkins has since graduated from paralegal school and begins a job Monday at a downtown Los Angeles law firm.