TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee man, who helped law enforcement find a wanted man, is speaking out.
He first saw the story about the attempted burglary right here on WTXL Wednesday.
He's just a concerned citizen who wants to see less crime on the streets where he lives. The man, who didn't want to show his face on television, led Leon County deputies right to their suspect.
"Being an American and wanting to stand behind your country is to also watch out for your neighborhood and your neighbors," said the concerned Tallahassee resident. "So you're going to watch out for even the stores, the businesses, the people."
In this case, 33-year-old Howard Hughes is accused of trying to break into the Capital City Bank early Wednesday morning.
Arrest documents say Hughes admits to damaging the bank's window telling deputies he "saw dead people."
When we aired this story on Wednesday morning, one of our viewers recognized the face in the video and started looking around his neighborhood.
"And we found him and I picked up the phone, called 911. He heard me, he took off in route eastbound on Orange Avenue. I took off in chase," said the concerned Tallahassee resident.
A couple minutes went by and he saw Hughes outside a convenience store in the area and called the police again.
Deputies arrested Hughes half a block away.
The Leon County Sheriff's Office urges you to be cautious if you're ever faced with a similar situation.
"So, if you see somebody obviously say something, but give us a call and let us know. We don't recommend that people try to chase somebody down because you never know what's going to happen," said LCSO Deputy Dave Teems. "We're happy that it worked out this way and obviously that we caught him."
Hughes is charged with damaging property, as well as possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee man has been arrested in connection to trying to break into the Capital City Bank on South Monroe Street.
Howard Hughes, 33, was arrested by the Leon County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday.
LCSO states they got a tip from a resident who recognized Hughes after they saw the video on our website.
The police report states Hughes was sitting outside at King Food Store when law enforcement arrived on scene.
Tallahassee Police officers were on scene first, and after watching the bank video, saw that Hughes matched the description and was wearing the same clothing as shown in the video.
When officers asked Hughes about the incident, he stated he "saw dead people" inside the bank.
TPD contacted LCSO when they apprehended Hughes.
After he was apprehended, officers found a bag containing one gram of weed in Hughes' pocket.
Hughes was taken to the Leon County Sheriff's Office, where he was then interviewed by deputies.
Hughes admitted to damaging the window of the bank because he saw dead people and had a problem with a "person" with no arms, no legs, and one tattoo working in the bank, who he claims was there at the time of the incident.
He denied entering or having the intention to enter the bank.
Based on the evidence, he is being charged with damaged property over $200 less than $1,000 and possession of marijuana (not more than 20 grams).
He was taken to the Leon County Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $500.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County deputies need your help identifying a man caught on camera trying to break into the Capital City Bank on South Monroe Street.
According to the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the crime took place last Wednesday around 3 a.m.
You'll see a man wearing a black shirt, black pants and white shoes while throwing a brick at the drive-thru window.
The suspect then walks around to the other side of the building and tries to kick the front door.
If you know who this is, contact the Leon County Sheriff's office.
There's a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. The reward is to be paid by the Big Bend Crime Stoppers.
