Chief Tim Collins awarded Miles Vanmeter a Citizen Award for his work in thwarting the theft of a $400 bike on Aug. 30.
Vanmeter was working at that evening when he saw someone near a bike locked to a lamppost. Vanmeter told police he thought the person was acting suspiciously — but it was about to get even more suspicious.
Vanmeter witnessed the person pull out bolt cutters and cut the lock that secured the bike.
"(Vanmeter) immediately called 911," Collins said.
Vanmeter gave an excellent description of the suspect and the direction the suspect took. Collins said that as the suspect pedaled away, Vanmeter ran in the same direction, continuing to give information to police dispatch.
Vanmeter's efforts allowed Ferndale officer to locate and arrest the suspect. The bike was returned to the owner.
"We were able to arrest the suspect, who had a long record of crime," Collins said Monday night.
