Helicopter video shows Good Samaritan catching car thief suspect after a crash in Denver

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On Thursday, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office released a helicopter video of a Good Samaritan who tackled and captured a car thief.

The sheriff’s office said the suspect, 41-year-old James McDonald, was wanted on aggravated motor vehicle theft in Arapahoe County and was on a crime spree through several jurisdictions.

On March 11, 2023, McDonald reportedly test-drove a red Ford F-150 truck in Centennial. The sheriff’s office said he returned later and stole that truck, and investigators obtained an arrest warrant on McDonald for aggravated motor vehicle theft.

The sheriff’s office said he then stole an RV motorhome in Lakewood with a 9mm handgun inside just two days later.

On March 16, 2023, Park County deputies reportedly saw a woman driving the stolen truck and McDonald driving the stolen RV next to her. The sheriff’s office said a police pursuit ensued, but was later terminated for safety reasons.

The sheriff’s office said on March 20, 2023, deputies were able to find the stolen RV in Arapahoe County where multiple firearms were inside. The next day, McDonald reportedly stole a black Ford F-150 pickup truck in Franktown.

On March 24, 2023, McDonald was reportedly spotted driving that same stolen black Ford F-150, and the sheriff’s office said a Denver Police Department Air1 helicopter was deployed for assistance.

The sheriff’s office said the helicopter was following McDonald through Denver when McDonald crashed the truck and fled on foot.

A Good Samaritan, Johan Sebastian Eslava-Osorio reportedly chased McDonald and held him down until Denver police could arrive. The sheriff’s office said McDonald was arrested that day for aggravated motor vehicle theft and is serving a 40-year prison sentence at Skyline Correctional Center in Canon City.

“Thanks to Mr. Eslava-Osorio’s swift action, the suspect was held and apprehended without further incident. I’m certain that if the suspect had fled the scene of the accident on foot, his desperate attempts to get away would have surely led to additional victims or additional property damage. As the investigator assigned to this case, I am very grateful that Mr. Eslava-Osorio was there to end the long search for the suspect,” Investigator Jose Diaz said.