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Writer Chases Down Robber in NYC, Saves Victim
21 Apr
Summary
- Writer pursued a suspect half a mile after a violent robbery.
- The victim, presumed dead by the writer, survived the assault.
- NYPD arrested the suspect, charging him with robbery and assault.
Writer Mick Betancourt became an accidental hero on April 10, 2026, when he pursued a suspect who had just committed a violent robbery on New York City's Lower East Side. Witnessing the incident unfold near his hotel, Betancourt, after initial hesitation, chased the fleeing man for over 15 minutes and half a mile across several blocks.
During the struggle, the store owner was violently slammed headfirst into the concrete, an event Betancourt believed was fatal. However, the owner survived and was later seen alert at the hospital identifying his alleged attacker. Housing Authority police and NYPD officers eventually apprehended the 35-year-old suspect, Iysa Muhammad.
Muhammad was charged with third-degree robbery and second-degree assault. The injured store owner, 37, was hospitalized in stable condition. Betancourt, who has numerous credits including "Reacher," downplayed his actions, stating he was a coward who simply decided to act.
