When neighbors help neighbors, good things can happen.

That's what one Arlington resident learned this week when a neighbor called to inform her that burglars had kicked in her south Arlington apartment door and exited with her computer, flat screen television, jewelry and clothing.

Minutes later, Arlington Police officers recovered the vehicle and all of her contents.

"I thank the Lord for the Arlington Police Department," the victim said. She was sitting in class at Tarrant County College when she got the call just after the lunch hour.

The Call to 9-1-1

The first call to 9-1-1 came from an Arlington resident who was driving along a busy South Cooper Street and attempted to avoid a traffic light by taking a side street. He encountered the burglary suspects fleeing the scene of the apartment in a vehicle on Mineral Spring.

As the suspects were fleeing from the initial burglary scene due to seeing police, they collided with this man, causing minor damages to his vehicle. The man called 9-1-1 and gave dispatchers a license plate number and direction of travel for the fleeing vehicle. He was not injured. After this collision, the suspect vehicle then lost control, drove up into a driveway and struck a parked car and fled again.

Officers soon located the abandoned vehicle in the 1100 block of Angel Fire. Arlington Police Officer Rick Hernandez and Precinct 7 Tarrant County Deputy Constable Salone quickly located a juvenile suspect who was later identified as the getaway driver. Officers continued to search the area for two additional suspects who fled on foot and should have them identified soon.

The 37-year resident of Arlington said, "I was simply trying to do the right thing" as he gave officers more information about the burglary suspects. By providing a good description of the suspect vehicle and direction of travel, this case was solved and the victim's property was recovered.

The victim is grateful for her neighbor's call and the citizen who helped on the street.

"I can't sit here all day and watch my apartment," she said. Having neighbors watching out for each other is key to reducing criminal activity in neighborhoods.

After identifying her property, Arlington officers spoke with the victim about what it takes to organize a community watch group in her apartment complex. It is as simple as visiting the www.Arlingtonpd.org or visiting with a Crime Prevention Officer.

The victim said she would pursue this effort for all the hardworking neighbors who reside in her building.