Pair Chase, Subdue Burglary Suspect

A manager at a local apartment complex and a nearby resident helped subdue a man Thursday suspected of trying to steal a car and assault the manager with a knife.

Timothy Baxter, 27, was chased down by the pair about noon after he allegedly broke into a garage at the Tradewinds apartment complex, a Police Department spokesman said.

Before trying to steal the car, Baxter allegedly urinated and defecated in the garage, said Paul Placial, one of the men who helped chase Baxter.

Placial said he was trying to hang mini-blinds in his home when he heard Michael McHale calling for help from the street.

McHale, who manages the apartment complex, had chased Baxter several blocks and was yelling for somebody to call the police, authorities said.

Placial said he saw Baxter--a short man with long brown hair and tattoos--creep into the backyard of a nearby home and told McHale. Armed with a can of Mace, they went after Baxter.

They found him curled up and hiding in the backyard, Placial said. Baxter, clad only in sweatpants, apparently tried to run away, and McHale sprayed him with Mace. Baxter then went for his knife, Placial said.

McHale and Placial were able to subdue the man and waited for a Ventura police officer to make the arrest.

Baxter is being held in the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted auto theft.