Hero pizza delivery man helps capture suspect fleeing cops by tripping him without dropping his food
This is when a heroic pizza delivery boy helped police apprehend a suspected car thief by tripping them with his foot – and he still kept his order.
Doorbell CCTV footage shows sober Tyler Morrell, 29, of Delaware County, restraining the suspect as he attempts to flee police.
The delivery man shows up at the front door of a customer’s home in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania before being distracted by the sound of a car screeching behind him.
As the homeowner exclaims, “That’s a high-speed chase!” Morrell casually turns and wanders back to the action unfolding before him.
The getaway car then pulls up in front of the house next door with two police cars in pursuit.
Doorbell camera footage shows pizza delivery boy Tyler Morrell at a customer’s door before being distracted by the sound of a car screeching behind him
As the homeowner yells, “It’s a high-speed chase!” Morrell casually turns and wanders back to the action unfolding in the street
The two suspected car thieves pull up in their vehicle with two police cars in pursuit
One stays in the car, but the other tries to flee on foot before running into Morrell
The delivery driver casually puts out a foot, causing the suspect to fall into the arms of the police
But as the suspect tries to flee on foot, he encounters Morrell, who extends a leg and sends the man tumbling into the hands of the police.
Morrell does all this while holding a pizza box, dressed casually in sneakers, shorts and a T-shirt.
Unfazed by the ongoing arrest behind him, he returns to his duties and safely delivers his order before leaving.
Brookhaven Police Department was so thankful for the have-a-go hero that they jokingly offered him a job and shared the video on Facebook alongside the caption, “Thanks sir for helping!!! If you are interested in a job, we are always looking for good people. Cocos Pizza Aston – you have great employees!’
His employers were also impressed. “Special shoutout to our delivery driver Tyler, who assisted the Brookhaven Police Department today and STILL delivered the food unscathed!!” they wrote on Facebook.
Morrell tried to downplay his exploits in an interview with Fox 29.
“To be honest, I wasn’t really thinking about doing anything, but about intervening. I was raised to intervene if you see something that isn’t right. So I just wanted to do my part,” he said, adding, “I did everything I could to keep the cheese from slipping.”
He even suggested CBS that he felt bad for hurting the suspect. “I think I stuck my leg out a little too hard and ended up kicking him a little bit.
“So I have to show a little bit for it, but it is what it is. It certainly paid off in the end. I sure didn’t wake up today when I came here to do this. I thought I was just delivering pizza.”
Some on social media suggested that he should be rewarded for his actions. Franklin Long commented on Facebook: “Great move, I hope he got a big tip.”
Charlene Pugh said, “Give that guy a raise. Well done Tyler and Brookhaven PD.”
Morrell tried to downplay his exploits by saying he just wanted to do his part to help the police
A GoFundMe page under Morrell’s name appears to have been set up after Cocco’s was inundated with calls from people wanting to tip him.
The page reads, “Delco Delivery Pizza man here, due to the volume of calls to my work with all the love and support, I wanted to give those who ask the opportunity to tip me! Thank you so much, I can’t believe how fast this train goes! All proceeds go towards the start-up costs of Morrell Cheesesteak Company inspired by the tragic events of 9/11.”
Brookhaven police chief Mike Vice later said he did not want the incident to encourage the public to become involved in police chases.
He said he “applauded” Morrell’s actions, but “we want people to know that we generally don’t want them to interfere,” adding, “We’re happy to handle it ourselves.”
Police confirmed that two teenagers, aged 17 and 19, were driving a stolen car.
The two teens were charged with receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fleeing and evading police, possession of drugs and paraphernalia, resisting arrest and related traffic violations.