An Ohio Good Samaritan is being hailed a ‘hero’ for chasing down a thief who snatched an 87-year-old woman’s purse from a shopping cart.
Deshawn pressley says that being recognized by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office was not all he received from his kindness. He made friends with Pat Goins and helped her through times of difficulty.
Goins, 58 years old and from Lemon Township Kroeger was going to shop when Derek Vaughn (police identification) took her purse.
Pressley heard her crying for help. She chased him down and got her things.
Goins said that he felt honored because he’s a hero to him. FOX11 interviewed Goins.
Deshawn Pressley (right) was praised by locals and deputies at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for retrieving 87-year-old Pat Goins’ (left) purse a thief on December 5
Pressley had been chatting with Goins for a while before the ordeal of December 5.
The two parted briefly, but Pressley heard Goins shout, ‘My purse!
‘I heard her screaming and yelling … it was the yell that I need help,’ Pressley said. Pressley said, “And I simply turned around to do what was required as a citizen.”
After the purse-snatcher, he chased them and eventually made a citizen’s arrest.
Pressley and Goins won’t meet again at the award ceremony, but they have made plans to go out for dinner.
Pressley was quick to act and pursued the purse snatcher. He eventually made a citizen’s arrest. Vaughn couldn’t get into his car or flee the scene.
Pressley was quick to act and pursued the purse snatcher. He eventually made a citizen’s arrest. Vaughn couldn’t get into his car or flee the scene.
CCTV footage taken December 5, shows Goins following Vaughn into the garage, stopping the thief reaching his car.
Derek Vaughn, 58, was arrested and charged with robbery and theft. Criminal records reveal that Vauhn is a repeat offender in minor traffic offenses and has been convicted of drug abuse.
Pressley happened to be in another aisle at the time Goins called for assistance. Vaughn went with him and 15 others, but Pressley beat them all.
Video surveillance shows Goins following Vaughn into the garage, stopping the thief.
Pressley stated that Vaughn was shocked to find other shoppers following his trail.
“He was running, looking back and running, looking back and back and back and forth, and I thought, “Yeah, that’s it, you’re a –,’ Pressley.”
Pressley stated, “He ran right by me and I chased after him,” “He reached for his car, everything and I chased him down, but I grabbed him and held him to the ground until he was taken to safety. I did the best that I could until the police arrived.
Vaughn was taken into custody by other shoppers.
“They said to him that he should apologize.” Goins stated that Goins had told him to apologize.
Pressley and Goins said that the award ceremony will not be their last. The couple said that they already have plans to go on a dinner date.
Goins stated that Vaughn had not tried to harm her, and that he was only looking for the $60 in her purse. Goins attended and was there to present Pressley the Citizen’s Award.
Goins claimed Vaughn had not tried to assault her, and that he was only after her $60 purse.
Pressley was presented with the Citizen’s Award by Richard Jones, Butler County Sheriff. Goins also attended.
“You are a source of pride for us, and not only here. [everywhere]”In the country,” the sheriff responded to the applause.
Pressley stated, “I am glad I helped her, she is a wonderful lady, and I love helping people, particularly older women,” They need love and security, just as every woman regardless of age.
He continued, “When I’m young, I used to shovel snow for my older sisters without any pay. They said that they didn’t want money and I was just doing it out of love. I am a person with a heart.
Pressley said that Goins and Pressley will keep in touch following the award ceremony.
Pressley explained that “This is not our last day together, but we will keep in touch,”
Goins continued, “And now we’ve got dinner dates.”
Pressley stated that Vaughn was the reason he chose to pursue him because of how he was raised in his grandmother’s home, where he learned good moral values.
He stated, “She did very well by me.” “It was great that she taught what she taught me. I’m grateful for her.”
Vaughn was taken into custody and charged for robbery as well as theft.
Jones claimed that Vaughn’s charges send a message and that Jones hopes Vaughn is still in prison, although he did not say if he was.
Pressley and Goins had a pleasant conversation before the incident with their one-year old daughter. They met at Kroger on Old Oxford State Road, Lemon Township.