http://www.theeagle.com/article/20120921/BC0101/120929921/1103/bc20/&slId=5
Martial arts enthusiast describes apprehension of purse-snatching suspect
...
Nineteen-year-old Coltin Boggs, 26-year-old William Nelson and 21-year-old Justin Draeges were talking outside of Brazos Valley Mixed Martial Arts in the Kroger shopping center, where the three of them train, when they heard a woman cry out nearby, Boggs said.
We just heard this scream, Boggs said. It sounded like she was yelling, My purse! My purse! and she raised her hands up like she was saying please help.
Having competed and trained at MMA for three years, Boggs said what happened next was natural.
...
I snatched him in an overhook and an underhook, and proceeded to take him down, Boggs said. I grabbed the arm that he had reached for the gun with and put it across my leg, creating a fulcrum point, where I could have broken his arm if he moved. I made sure to tell him, We are trained. We can hurt you. Dont try and fight us.
Police reports of the events Tuesday did not indicate that Muckleroy was armed.
I dont think he actually had a gun, Boggs said. It was him trying to get us to back off. It didnt work.
Boggs said he kept the suspect in a position called knee-on-belly. Nelson had his leg against the mans body and his foot against his hip so that Muckleroy wouldnt kick them, Boggs said.
...
Although the victim of the attempted theft is certainly singing the MMA fighters praises, local law enforcement said they dont advise community members to do what Boggs and Nelson did.
Although what they did was awesome and we greatly appreciate it, they were at high risk of injury, College Station police Sgt. Matt Ford said. If a civilian can follow a suspect safely and keep us updated on where he is and where he is heading, it prevents the chance that they could be injured. The suspect may have a weapon and can injure civilians, making a bad situation worse. I dont want to encourage anyone to go hands-on with someone.