Bike theft victim goes on wild van chase in Hell's Kitchen

HELL'S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) -- A van slammed into two people in Hell's Kitchen - it was a wild chase that ended in a violent collision and punches thrown.

The chain of events all started around 5:45 p.m. Saturday on 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. 47-year-old James Mansfield was unloading an expensive bike from a van, when a man who was passing by took the bike and fled.

Mansfield then got into his van and went against traffic after the bicycle thief, officials say. When Mansfield reached 50th and 9th, he struck the bicyclist and an innocent bystander.

Witnesses say Mansfield then attacked the man he hit on the bike, and started to throw punches.

"When he got out of the van, he hit him. Two times. He hit him two times," says Nelson Almonte.

The man on the bike then took off running.

Mansfield got his bike back, but he will not be riding it any time soon - he was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment.

The 31-year-old bystander was cut in the head and elbow.