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Video: Civilians Come to Aid of Arizona Officer in Struggle with Suspect

"I stood over his leg and lowered myself down a little to make sure he didn't get his foot up and kick the officer," said Erickson. "We then tried to grab his arm out from behind his back. Once we got his arms out, I asked (the officer) 'do you need me to hold his arms down so you can get your cuffs?'"

March 26, 2018
Video: Civilians Come to Aid of Arizona Officer in Struggle with Suspect

Chandler, AZ, officers take a man into custody after he reportedly attacked an officer. Two civilians came to the aid of the officer.

1 min to read


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Justin Erickson and another didn't think twice about jumping into action to help a Chandler, AZ, police officer arrest 32-year-old Mathew Martinez, who was wanted for drugs and shoplifting.

"It was super clear that he was resisting arrest,"  Erickson told AZ Family. "He wasn't going to go down without a struggle."

According to Erickson, Martinez and the officer were rolling around on the ground.

"I stood over his leg and lowered myself down a little to make sure he didn't get his foot up and kick the officer," said Erickson. "We then tried to grab his arm out from behind his back. Once we got his arms out, I asked (the officer) 'do you need me to hold his arms down so you can get your cuffs?'"

Chandler Police Det. Seth Tyler said they're grateful for what the good Samaritans did, especially how they spoke to the officer first, before jumping in the fight.

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