A 26-year-old powerlifter explains her bold actions after chasing down and fighting a suspected bag thief in Wynwood. NBC6’s Chris Hush reports
Newly-released surveillance video captured the moment a woman caused a car crash while chasing down a man who allegedly stole her purse — before confronting him on a Wynwood sidewalk.
In the video posted by Only in Dade, the victim is seen driving a black car. According to a police report, she told investigators she was so focused on following the suspected thief, that she crashed into an oncoming car.
“I had so much adrenaline in me that I didn’t think about the consequences," 26-year-old Miurell Vargas told NBC6.
The crash and confrontation happened near NW 2nd Avenue and 22nd Lane in Miami's Wynwood area on March 29.
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Vargas is seen jumping out of her car following the crash, seemingly appearing not to be phased by the collision. She then runs after the suspect and pulls her bag away, but a struggle breaks out.
“He put his hand behind him. So, I thought he was going to pull out a knife or a gun. That’s when I started punching him," Vargas said. "He was yelling that it wasn’t my bag and that I was crazy."
Soon after, police arrived and ended up arresting the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Luis Machado, who got a black eye in the scuffle.
According to his arrest report, he's accused of smashing the victim's car window while she was at work and stealing a bag and wallet from her.
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The report also said he admitted to police that the wallet wasn’t his, but denied breaking into her vehicle.
"He admitted to having some of the victim's property but then he claims he didn’t know how the property became in his possession, which obviously were conflicting statements that didn’t make sense,” Kiara Delva of Miami Police said.
Vargas, a powerlifter, wasn't concerned about the money in her bag. The real reason for her bold actions was due to something much more valuable.
"My mom’s picture was in my wallet. And my mom passed away eight years ago," she said. "So, that was sentimental value for me that I needed to recover. That’s why I did it."
No serious injuries were reported in the crash, which Vargas was ticketed for.
“I just want to say sorry to the person that I crashed into," she said. “She gave me a hug. She was very nice. I just want to say sorry to her.”
Machado was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and petit theft.
