OXNARD : Man Catches Theft Suspect After Chase

An Oxnard man forced a robbery suspect’s car onto a sidewalk, took a fake gun away from him and held him until police arrived. The good deed prompted one officer to call the man a hero.

The incident occurred about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday when the suspect, a 30-year-old transient identified as Jeffrey Washington, waved a plastic gun and took $60 from the Yummy Yogurt store at 1207 Saviers Road in Oxnard, police said.

Daniel Lowe, 44, of Oxnard told police that he was waiting outside for his wife, Deborah, 34, when the robbery took place. His wife told him about it and pointed out the suspect.

Lowe, driving a 1989 El Dorado, said he chased the suspect’s Oldsmobile down a nearby side street, hitting it three times until he forced it onto the sidewalk.

Lowe said the suspect took out his plastic gun, which Lowe thought was real. The two struggled and Lowe was able to disarm him. Police arrived a short time later and arrested Washington on charges of armed robbery.

Washington is being held in County Jail, said Oxnard police Officer Mike Williamson. Bail is set at $20,000.

“There’s no doubt about it; the guy’s a hero,” Williamson said. Lowe “took his life into his own hands.”

But Lowe, a bodybuilder of 20 years, said he doesn’t see it that way. “I just stopped somebody from doing something they weren’t supposed to do.”

Lowe said that his car was badly damaged, but that he does not know how much repairs will cost.

Williamson said the Police Department does not encourage people to chase suspects who may be armed.