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FDNY EMTs stop cell phone robber in NY

Responders were sitting in their ambulance when they heard a woman scream

By FDNY

NEW YORK — EMTs Rheinhold Danglade and Delano Williams were real-life heroes for one Brooklyn woman on Oct. 18, but more for their ability to run than their medical skills.

The pair was sitting in their ambulance on the corner of Ashland Place and DeKalb Avenue at around 9:45 a.m., when they heard a woman scream. They then saw her run across Flatbush Avenue, chasing a man.

EMT Danglade said he put on the ambulance lights to stop traffic, “because I was afraid she was going to get hit.” She then noticed the EMTs, pointed to the man she was chasing and said he stole her cell phone.

The EMTs drove the ambulance to Fulton Avenue, exited the vehicle and began chasing the man.

Immediately he threw the cell phone on the ground, and yelled “there’s the cell phone!” Then, seconds later, he threw his hands in the air and said “I give up!”

“He didn’t expect anyone to chase him,” EMT Danglade said. The EMTs held the out-of-breath man on the ground for a few minutes, until police arrived.

Several other EMS units also were called to the scene, one of which checked out the woman, who was having chest pains. She is expected to be ok. Before she left the scene, she thanked EMTs Danglade and Williams for their great work.

“It’s not every day this happens,” said EMT Danglade. “Instinct just took over. It feels good to help someone in that way.”

Republished with permission from FDNY