A suspected mail thief in Studio City, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, was finally caught, but not by the authorities, but by fed-up residents. One mail thief had been stealing people’s correspondence for a while. Since the authorities didn’t step up to help them, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Last night, they finally found the robber, pepper-sprayed him, and even smashed the windshield of his vehicle. While the mail thief is still at large, the resident sent a strong message and showed they are willing to fight in situations where the authorities don’t help them.
The original video comes from @mandothemanchild on TikTok. In it, we can see the TikToker approach the thief, asking him, “You like to steal mail, huh?” Before pepper-spraying him. Other neighbors smashed the robber’s windshield with a baseball bat as he was trying to escape the scene.
ABC7 interviewed @mandothemanchild, also known as Timothy Brehmer, who claims they saw the man approach the area he had been stealing from and decided to confront him. The thief tried to hit the man’s phone with his hand, and that’s when Brehmer unloaded the pepper spray on him. While many people tried to stop the criminal, he managed to escape.
Fortunately, the neighbors had been posting flyers showing the criminal, and now the police department is involved, so it seems this thief’s days are numbered. However, residents claim they won’t stop until they catch the robber.
Some people reacted to this kind of citizens’ watch, praising it, while also criticizing the police department.
“Residents doing what the police and L.A. government are inept to do,” said one user.
“Power to the people! We must defend and help each other out!” commented another user.
In truth, it is shocking and dangerous to see residents of any neighborhood dealing with these situations. However, if the police department doesn’t help, especially with a mail thief that’s been on the run for a long time, then a more direct approach is justified. We can only hope that the authorities will catch this man, and if they don’t, at least we know the people in Studio City have the strength to do it.
