NEWPORT BEACH : Citizens Intervene to Foil Robbery

Two passers-by pulled a would-be robber from a 70-year-old woman’s car Wednesday afternoon and then chased him until he was arrested by police, authorities said Thursday.

The attacker apparently approached the unidentified woman on Newport Boulevard while she was sitting in the car with the door open about 5 p.m., police said. He had taken the woman’s keys and dragged her from the car when two pedestrians intervened and tried to stop the robbery.

The suspect, John Steven Spates, 31, of San Juan Capistrano was starting the car when the woman screamed for help, police said. Mike Devito, 31, of Orange and Bill Miller, 46, of Costa Mesa were walking along the sidewalk when they heard the screams.

Miller reached through the open passenger window and pulled the keys from the ignition while Devito fought to open the driver’s door. Devito dragged Spates from the car, but the suspect broke free and ran away, police said.

Devito chased Spates for about five blocks, police said. Police caught the suspect on 31st Street.

“I just never have done anything like that before,” Devito said. “I did what I did because I didn’t want the lady to lose her car and I wanted him to get arrested.”

While Devito pursued the would-be robber, John Siple, 46, the owner of nearby Johnston Yacht Sales, followed the foot chase in his car. He pulled in front of Spates at about the intersection of Villa Way and 31st Street. Spates stopped and threw up his arms while a Newport Beach bicycle officer made the arrest.

Spates was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.