Tech Thanked for Aiding Police

Colin Sebern, a systems administrator for the Computer Science Department, was officially thanked earlier this month by Capt. Bill Bean, acting UCSB police chief, for Sebern's assistance in stopping a suspect fleeing from officers in Isla Vista.

"The fact that you got involved is greatly appreciated," said Bean as he presented Sebern with a letter of commendation and two lapel pins. "I'm very happy Colin got involved," said 5-foot-3-inch Officer Rebecca Muell, who was losing the foot race to the athletic, 6-foot suspect before Sebern turned the tables with a flying tackle.

Muell was alone in her patrol car when the domestic disturbance call first came in: A witness reported that a male passenger was hitting a woman driver as their car headed north through I.V. Muell joined another UCSB officer and a deputy sheriff in a slow-speed pursuit of the vehicle with the suspect.

When the car finally stopped on El Greco it was around 11 p.m. and three patrol units with blazing lights were on its tail. The suspect, clad in a dark running suit, leaped out and dashed away. The officers spread out to head him off. Meanwhile, Sebern, driving his roommate's Mustang, saw what was happening and tried to intercept the suspect near a construction site on El Greco. "He just vaulted the hood of my car," Sebern said.

The man ran in the direction of Storke Field, Muell recalled. Anticipating his course she almost caught up with him on Cervantes, yelling, "Stop! Police!" It did not slow him down. By the time she rounded the corner to Camino Pescadero the suspect was 50 yards ahead.

Sebern had overtaken the suspect on Pescadero, stopped his car, and threw himself over the Mustang and onto the passing runner. At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, the former County Bowl bouncer made a definite impact. The suspect was flat on his stomach, hands behind his back before he knew what was happening.

Muell ran up, placed a knee on the suspect's shoulder, and handcuffed him while displaying a can of pepper spray a few inches from his face. "He knew I'd use it if I had to," she said. The suspect, who was cooperative from then on, was charged with domestic battery, obstructing an officer, and a couple of other counts.