Naperville police recognize men for detaining purse-snatching suspect
There's a new award the Naperville Police Department occasionally presents for something that qualifies as a "good catch."
The latest recipients are two men who helped detain a 19-year-old homeless man accused of stealing a woman's purse on July 31 in a downtown parking garage this summer. The man was later charged with robbery and aggravated battery in a public place.
Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall gave the Good Catch Award on Tuesday to Kevin Nowak and Steven Rotunno, two of three people who helped slow down and contain the man. Marshall said the third man is a helpful bystander police have never been able to identify who helped stall the suspect's progress while he attempted to run through the parking deck on Chicago Avenue.
After Steven England, 19, got past the unidentified bystander, Nowak and Rotunno came in. Marshall said they took the safety measure of "see something, say something" to a new level.
"They actually did something," Marshall said. "Kevin and Steven took control of the suspect and stopped him from escaping with the victim's purse. They controlled him until police arrived and took him into custody."
Authorities said a woman in her 30s was walking about 7 p.m. in an alley near the Barnes & Noble store at Washington Street and Chicago Avenue when she was attacked. The woman cried for help as police said England dragged her briefly by the purse, injuring her as she refused to let go.
England pleaded not guilty Aug. 31 during an arraignment and is due for a hearing Thursday in DuPage County court.
City council members after the Good Catch Award presentation joked that Nowak and Rotunno look like they could be the police department's next recruits. Marshall laughed, but after several recent retirements, he said the department has six open positions.
• Daily Herald staff writer Justin Kmitch contributed to this report.