Police arrest suspected thief after neighbor chases the suspect down

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A man caught on camera trying to steal lawn equipment is charged with burglary and criminal trespass. An alert neighbor, who is a former college wrestler, is credited with helping officers make the arrest.

AJ Grant says he was washing dishes Monday evening when his dog started barking. Grant looked out the window and saw the door of his neighbor's shed open. Someone came out with a lawnmower and trimmer.

Grant, barefoot at the time, went outside.

"I came through the gate, as I came this way I noticed there was a U-Haul parked over [there]," says Grant. "The window was down, so I came in threw it in park and tried to get the keys out."

Grant says the driver punched him in the head.

The suspect who tried to take the lawn equipment took off running. Grant chased him along Ashburton Avenue SE. He took him down at Alexa Avenue and Morgan Place.

Grant, who attended the University of Michigan, says he is a two-time All-American wrestler. Those skills, and a neighbor who helped hold the suspect until officers, help retrieve one piece of stolen equipment.

"I guess it's part of being neighbors really," Grant told FOX 5's Kerry Charles. "I mean, he's in here stealing things from people and I just wanted to make sure he got in trouble for what he did."

Atlanta Police have identified the suspect as Tre'Vonte Broughton. Broughton, 23, is charged with burglary and criminal trespass.

The person driving the U-Haul got away with trimmers. The lawnmower was recovered and returned to its owners.