Two San Diego residents helped police catch a would-be tagger near Horton Plaza earlier this week.
One resident confronted two men and a boy just before noon as they tried to tag property in downtown San Diego. One of the men showed the resident the butt of a handgun in his waistband before the three would-be vandals fled.
Officers later arrested a man matching the description of the armed would-be tagger near Horton Plaza. The man tried to escape, but he was tripped by a man as he ran from the officers. He was taken into custody on suspicion of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm.
The other would-be taggers were detained but not arrested.