Cab driver nabs robbery suspect in NN

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A Newport News cab driver is credited with apprehending a suspect who allegedly assaulted and robbed a woman in the parking lot of a Target store Wednesday afternoon.

Police say the 59-year old female was sitting in her car in the parking lot of the store, in the 12100 block of Jefferson Avenue, when a male approached her vehicle around 3:45 p.m. and asked for money. The suspect then allegedly brandished a knife and assaulted the female in an attempt to take her purse from the vehicle.

An Associated Cab driver, 36-year old Flynn Martinez, witnessed the incident taking place and when he approached the vehicle, the suspect ran. Martinez chased the suspect and apprehended him in a nearby Taco Bell parking lot. Police say Detective Nelson Groom was in the area was able to assist Martinez with the detention of the suspect.

"I saw a woman being beat by a man," said Martinez.  "He was on top of her hitting her. And, pretty much, I think he was stabbing her in the face."

The suspect, Herman Leemou, Jr., 40, of Newport News, is charged with robbery, assault and malicious wounding.

"I was very impressed that someone would actually see a woman being stabbed and then chase the subject down and hold him for police to get there," said Det. Groom. 

"I just look at it like this, if this was my mother or my daughter, my wife or my sister, I wouldn't want nobody to just stand by and watch it happen to them," said Martinez.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for facial injuries.