Video shows Delco pizza delivery driver tripping suspect to end high-speed police chase
Police say because of the driver's quick thinking, they were able to make the arrest.
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Sunday wasn't your average day at work for one pizza delivery driver in Aston, Delaware County.
While out on a delivery, Tyler Morell with Cocco's Pizza helped police put a stop to a high-speed chase.
And the best part is, Morell's heroic act was all caught on video.
Click here to watch the full video. (Warning: Video contains explicit language.)
"A car just came up doing like 75, he beached on the side of this person's lawn and almost took out a couple of cars," recalled Morell.
What Morell thought was going to be a normal pizza delivery ended up planting him in the middle of a police pursuit.
According to Brookhaven police, just after 3:30 p.m., officers were in pursuit of a stolen Kia from Upper Darby.
The stolen car crashed along Preston Street in Middletown Township, and the 17-year-old suspect, who was the driver, got out of the car to flee the scene. That's when Morell stepped in.
Or rather, Morell stepped out.
"I started walking towards the road, but I couldn't do anything with my hands because I'm holding the pizza, so I just stuck my leg out," he said.
Morell was able to stick his leg out enough to trip the suspect, causing the man to tumble to the ground, where police arrested him.
Police say because of Morell's quick thinking, they were able to make the arrest.
"He gave us the help we needed, by tripping him it gave us the time to catch up with the gentleman," said Brookhaven Chief of Police Michael Vice.
"I am so sick of seeing crime go on, especially half a mile down the road," said Morell. "So if they needed a hand or a foot, I was there."
Police say 19-year-old Jhonael Gutierrez-Tejada, of Darby, was also arrested. He was allegedly the passenger inside the stolen vehicle.
After all the commotion was done, the pizza was still delivered safely.
"10 out of 10 delivery," said Danielle Yeager, who ordered the pizza.
Now Morell is being hailed as a hero for putting his best foot forward.
"In this case, this guy ultimately saved the day," said Vice. "And I hear the pizza was saved as well!"
And he's also getting national media attention.
"I had a lady call this morning from Arkansas. She just said, 'You know that was a crazy thing that he did. When we're in town we're going to stop by.' People are calling requesting him to deliver," said Steve Schmucker, the general manager of Cocco's Pizza.
Police say Gutierrez-Tejada is facing charges of receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and other charges. He's being held behind bars on $50,000 bail.
The 17-year-old is also facing charges, police said.
