How to Respond to A Crime--If You're Not an MMA Fighter

Last month a professional kickboxer and MMA fighter, who trains other pros at his Crestwood gym, detained a man stealing vodka from the Watson Road Schnucks. 

"Jesse Finney is a highly trained individual, he is not the average resident," Crestwood Police Chief Mike Paillou said. "I would never recommend a resident get involved in a physical confrontation with a suspect."

The department hasn't seen many instances of bystanders stepping in during crimes in action, he said.

"A good samaritan stepped in and got killed at Starbucks, which is quite possibly what could happen when an untrained individual gets involved," Paillou said.

He was referring to the 2008 death of Roger Kreutz, who died from head injuries he sustained while chasing a tip jar thief out of the coffee shop. Aaron Poisson served nine months for involuntary manslaughter, according to a report from KMOV.

Paillou said the most valuable thing a resident can do when witnessing a crime is to simply be a witness.

"Contact the local police, start giving information to the dispatcher and let the professionals handle it," he said. Even if a suspect has fled the immediate area, identifying details can be given to nearby police departments.

"The faster information gets out to additional officers, the faster we can make an arrest," Paillou said.

Related articles:

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• Crestwood MMA Fighter's Takedown of Shoplifter Gains National Attention