Good Samaritan Catches Robbery Suspect

A good Samaritan chased two men who allegedly robbed a Palmdale record store at gunpoint, tackling one of them in the desert and holding him at bay until authorities arrived, authorities said.

James Whiles, 40, and Steven Weilbacher, 41, both of Lancaster, were being held at the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s station on suspicion of armed robbery, Sgt. Paul Kaser said.

Whiles and Weilbacher are suspected of robbing Wherehouse Records in Palmdale of $450 about 6 p.m. Monday. Michael Jones, 28, of Lancaster pulled up to the store in his car as two men ran out with the money, police said.

One of the clerks ran out and pointed at the men.

“Chase them!” she ordered.

Jones complied. Kaser said the men had hopped into a car and were speeding away at up to 90 m.p.h. At one point, Jones blocked the street with his car, got out, and attempted to stop their car with his body.

The driver tried to run him down and he had to jump out of the street, Kaser said. But the men’s car became stuck in sand around 4th Street East and Avenue L, he said.

Jones caught up with Whiles and wrestled with him until deputies arrived. Weilbacher gave himself up later, Kaser said.

The money was recovered from the car, Kaser said.