Police: Victim, passersby capture car theft suspect

CORVALLIS, Ore. - A man tried to steal an unattended car left with the engine running only to get the car stuck on a concrete barrier, police said.

The car owner confronted the man, who ran away. The victim then freed her vehicle and chased down the man, detaining him with the help of some fraternity members who heard her calls for help.

The Corvallis Police Department said the efforts to detain the suspect helped police take him in custody.

But police also warned the public that suspects may be armed and dangerous. Police urged the public to call 911 to report a crime in progress.

In this case, a suspect - later identified as Anthony R. Needham - got into a car left running and unattended Friday evening in an alley north of NW Tyler Avenue, between NW Kings Boulevard and NW 21st Street.

As he tried to drive away, the car got stuck on a concrete barrier. The car's owner confronted Needham, who ran away on foot.

The car owner freed her vehicle and chased Needham to NW 25th Street, where she got of of the vehicle and physically detained the suspect while yelling for help.

Members of a nearby fraternity came to her assistance and helped restrain Needham.

Police jailed Needham on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Criminal Mischief II and Fail to Perform Duties of a Driver. Needham also had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest for Failure to Appear II.