On 02/21/16 a woman reported to Flint Police that she had been attacked in her home by an acquaintance. The investigation led to a subject being arrested the next day. That subject, Marlon Burns (47), has now been charged and arraigned for eight counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree (Personal Injury) and 1 count of Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree (Personal Injury).

On 02/22/16 at approx. 7:15pm a woman reported that she was approached by a male subject in a parking lot near Fenton and Atherton Rd. The male subject assaulted the woman and demanded money. The woman sprayed the male with a mace type product, he then took her purse and ran from the scene. Two men, Richard Newman and another gentleman were nearby, heard the woman screaming for help and observed the male subject running away with a purse. Mr. Newman and the other gentleman ran after the subject and tackled him to the ground. After a brief struggle they were able to take the purse away from the subject who then ran off again. A Flint Police Special Operations Officer responding to the 911 call observed the subject as he was running from the scene and arrested him. The good Samaritans returned the purse to the woman who was not injured. The male subject was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries then lodged in jail. Charges are pending review by the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office.

The Flint Police Department would like to recognize the quick, heroic actions taken by Richard Newman and the other gentleman whose good deeds assisted in the apprehension of this subject and the return of the woman's belongings. Fortunately, this case had a positive ending, but we would like to caution citizens about intervening in situations that could have a negative, possibly violent result. Safety first!

Admin note - We were unable to contact the second good Samaritan today, therefore we are not identifying him at this time.