A man who tried to stop a theft suspect in Pinole remained in critical condition Tuesday, three days after his good deed left him with a head injury, police said. Pinole police officers arrived after the injury and need witnesses to tell what they saw, Cmdr. "He was seriously hurt.
He simply observed what happened and tried to help," Pollard said. "We need anyone who saw anything to come in and tell us. Employees at the Toys R Us store at 1330 Fitzgerald Drive called police at 4:28 p.
m. Saturday to report a theft. Workers there saw a man grab some video games or similar products, Pollard said, and try to run out with them.
Police say that as employees chased 30-year-old Florida resident Marlon Jessie Blacher out the door of the store and pursued him into the parking lot, the good Samaritan got involved. Police on Tuesday would not reveal exactly what happened, to ensure that witnesses responding to their request for help would tell what they saw in their own words. But Pollard said that something Blacher did while running away caused major injury to 41-year-old San Pablo resident Jose Cruz, who remains hospitalized at a local trauma center, police said.
Store employees caught Blacher, whom Pinole officers booked into County Jail in Martinez on suspicion of felony battery, impersonation of another, and grand theft. Paramedics and firefighters were already delivering aid to Cruz when police arrived, and detectives have been unable to interview him. A corporate spokesperson for Toys R Us did not return calls.
Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com. Pinole Police ask anyone who saw the foot chase or the injury to the good Samaritan on Saturday at Toys R Us, 1330 Fitzgerald Drive, to call Detective Mike Pistello at 510-724-8941.
A man who tried to stop a theft suspect in Pinole remained in critical condition Tuesday, three days after his good deed left him with a head injury, police said.
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