Firefighters thwarts robbery in East Village

EAST VILLAGE (WABC) -- One of New York City's Bravest jumped into action to stop a robbery in the East Village.

It was a confusing scene when neighbors say they saw a firefighter with gear on hold down a man trying to get away.

It's not the typical situation for a firefighter, but this one wasn't about to let an alleged robber get away.

Dealing with gear and hoses, going into burning buildings that may be a typical day for a firefighter, but now add chasing down thieves to that list.

"We're here to make sure the city's safe in any which way," said Firefighter Kevin Ruiz, of Engine 28.

Apparently so for Firefighter Kevin Ruiz, was with his crew from Engine 28 food shopping in Alphabet City, when he saw a man dig his hand into a woman's open purse as she shopped at a fruit stand.

"She had her bag completely open and a gentleman snuck up behind her and he went into her bag and he took her phone," Ruiz said.

"At first we thought it was a joke," said Commissioner Sandy Guzman, FDNY.

But the woman wasn't laughing.

"That's when Firefighter Ruiz started screaming at the guy and tells him, 'Hey give the phone back,'" Guzman said.

Possibly stunned at being caught in the act, the suspect quickly gave the phone back, but then took off.

Ruiz was not letting him get away so fast, and chased the man two avenues and about six blocks, where his fire truck caught up with him.

"I had the bunker gear pants and it was pretty heavy so when I finally catch up to Ruiz, he has the perpetrator, he has him against the wall," Guzman said.

"He stated that the phone was falling and he was just picking it up and returning it to her," Ruiz said.

But neither Ruiz nor police were buying it, and the man was arrested.

Some residents there say when police arrived they joked that Ruiz was working on his shield.