Marathon Mom Chases Down Bike Thief Not as In Shape as She Is

A man arrested by Seattle Police for stealing a bicycle had no idea what he was up against when he allegedly entered Sarah Tatterson's garage to grab her husband's bike on June 6, KING-TV reported.

Tatterson saw the man, who was not identified in news reports, from her window as he snatched the bike. She took after him on foot.

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Tatterson is a runner who has competed in a number of half marathons, according to KING-TV. The chase took a comical turn, as Tatterson told the TV station that the man eventually dropped the bike and ran on foot, probably thinking that would give him an edge.

"I'm running and screaming 'Call 911. This man tried to steal my bike," Tatterson told KING-TV reporter Linda Brill.

Tatterson told the West Seattle Blog that several neighbors responded to her pleas and contacted police while she continued the chase. She said she didn't quite know what to do once she caught up with him.

"Unsure of the extent of my rights to defend my property, I decided not to tackle the man," Tatterson wrote to West Seattle Blog. "Although, I have to admit, as a psychotherapist and borderline pacifist, I tend to entertain all options prior to violence. Our misguided friend proceeded to run with the bike down the alley until he likely realized the screaming woman following him was not going back into her house to call the police. The bike was ditched and the pursuit was on."

She eventually pulled up next to him and tagged along until police found them 10 blocks away from the home.

"I told him I was going to run six miles today but I can probably do 12, so just let me know when you're done," Tatterson told KING-TV.

Tatterson said that at the end of the day, she loves her neighborhood and just wanted to keep it safe.

She was also fortunate he didn't have a weapon.

"Bike is safe, I am safe, the laundry is done," Tatterson wrote to the West Seattle Blog. "I can’t say, though, what this will mean for the man who felt theft was his best option today. I do hope justice is restorative."

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