Bystander nabs burglary suspect

Charleston police say a good Samaritan helped them catch a man accused of breaking into a King Street woman's bedroom while she slept.

The 19-year-old victim told officers that she was sleeping in her apartment about 12:10 a.m. Saturday when she woke up and heard someone in her bedroom.

The woman thought it was her cousin and called out his name. She became suspicious when the person walked out of her room without acknowledging her, according to a police report.

She followed the person toward the front door and she realized it wasn't her cousin, the report states.

The victim followed the man out the door, onto King Street toward Calhoun Street. She saw him throw an unidentified object in front of Moe's at 381 King St. The object turned out to be her purse, the report said.

The man then turned onto Calhoun Street where he was caught by a witness identified as Julius Wallace of Charleston. Wallace, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, told police he chased the suspect down after he saw him running and knocking people over on King Street.

Police arrested and charged Aaron Montez Smalls, 43, of Charleston with first-degree burglary.

Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.