A bystander helped Fargo police apprehend a Dilworth man who had a warrant issued for his arrest for skipping a court hearing regarding failure to register as a sex offender in Clay County.
Police received a call at 11:21 p.m. Tuesday about possible gunshots in the 1100 block of Second Avenue South.
Officer Travis Moser was in the area and heard the noise, which turned out to be fireworks. He located three suspects in an apartment parking lot, and two of them ran, Sgt. Jeff Skuza said.
Moser chased and caught Alfred Jesse Jackson, 22, of St. Michael, N.D.
Moser then heard a person struggling with the other fleeing suspect, Aaron John Thompson Sr., 38, of Dilworth, and went to assist.
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Moser brought Thompson back to the squad car and then took Jackson out of the car to handcuff him.
"And Thompson took off again, and the citizen tackled him again," Skuza said.
Thompson and Jackson were arrested for resisting a police officer and booked into the Cass County Jail.
Thompson, who is required to register as a sex offender, disappeared from his Dilworth residence last December, Dilworth Police Chief Dave Miller said.
Thompson later returned to the residence, and Clay County scheduled an Oct. 22 court hearing for him to re-register, Miller said. The warrant was issued after Thompson skipped the hearing, he said.
Skuza said the person who helped the officer left the scene before being identified.
"We still don't know who they were," he said.
People are authorized by state law to assist an officer in such situations, he said.
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"We're glad the citizens are willing to help the officer, because the officer was alone at the time," he said.
The third suspect cooperated with police and was released, Skuza said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
Citizen tackles suspect Mike Nowatzki 20071108
