‘I cleaned his clock’: Coon Rapids man tackles suspect with AR-15 rifle running from police

A bystander’s cell phone video captured a Coon Rapids Police Officer hugging Ben Short, after he detained a suspect with an AR-15 and handgun, allegedly running away from law enforcement, according to investigators.

On Monday morning, Short was getting ready for work when he noticed flashing lights in his Coon Rapids neighborhood, and a suspect running from law enforcement.

"I’m sick of everybody having to look over their shoulder," Short said.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office spotted a reported stolen vehicle on Monday morning near Crosstown Dr. NW and Bunker Lake Blvd. NW in the city of Andover but eventually terminated the chase.

A short time later after 8 am, Coon Rapids police officers spotted the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, when it reportedly ran again, police said they used a PIT maneuver to disable the vehicle near the 3800 block of 115th Avenue North.

"I’m going to nail that fool, I’m going to get him," Short said when he saw the suspect running away from police into his neighbors’ yard. "It was my natural instinct to stop what I was doing to meet him right out front, I didn’t realize he had a rifle at the time when I made the decision to come running, until the last minute, I decided I was already committed I need to follow through with it take him out and I did it."

Short said he held the man down for what felt like 30 seconds before police arrived.

Coon Rapids Police Officer Austin Albers, one of the officers who chased after the suspect, lost sight when the man went between houses.

“When I was coming around the corner of the house, some sort of struggle, some yelling, when I turned the corner I saw Ben restraining the suspect, a huge relief for me," said Albers. "I was shocked, that was the last thing I expected."

Detaining an armed suspect, isn’t something police suggest.

Short said when the adrenaline wore off, he did a double take on what he had just done.

"I realized that wasn’t the smartest thing I should have done," Short said. "It made me feel awesome to do the right thing and help out."

That bystander video of Officer Alber’s partner giving Short a hug was a heartfelt thanks from the department to a resident for having their back in the situation.

"It’s a huge sigh of relief and gratitude from everyone at the department," Albers said.

The 25-year-old driver, who allegedly fled from the vehicle and removed two firearms, was taken into custody. The 30-year-old passenger was also taken into custody at the time.

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office said on Tuesday they continue to investigate the situation surrounding the vehicle chase.