U.S. Attorney Finalist Chases and Tackles Theft Suspect

An Illinois lawyer who is under consideration for the job of U.S. attorney got an up-close taste of crime-fighting on Wednesday when he chased and tackled a suspected thief.

Belleville lawyer Steve Wigginton is one of two people recommended for U.S. attorney in Illinois’ southern district, according to the Belleville News-Democrat. He told the newspaper in an article published today that the chase began when his secretary yelled that a man who had walked into their law offices had taken her wallet.

Wigginton and lawyer J. Brian Menion gave chase, tracking the suspect by the sound of barking dogs. When he spotted the man, Wigginton told him he was an assistant state’s attorney (he works part-time for the office) and told him to stop.

Then Wigginton tackled the suspect and sat on his back until police arrived, the story says. The wallet was recovered by Wigginton’s law office. "That is the longest and fastest I have run in a long time," Wigginton told the newspaper.

The suspect was charged with burglary.