Tampa Cop Under Attack Helped By 2 Witnesses

TAMPA, FL — Two witnesses to a violent struggle between a Tampa Police officer and a burglary suspect Wednesday afternoon are being called out as heroes for diving in to help bring an 18-year-old man into custody.

The incident that has Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward calling the two passersby heroes reportedly began when officers received a disturbance call from the 4732 N. Dale Mabry Highway Econo Lodge around 1:30 p.m. April 19. Police say hotel staff reported that a man had walked through the hotel and swiped a keyring that belonged to the manager before leaving.

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Officer Michael Collins was the first on the scene, the police department reported in a Wednesday evening email. Collins subsequently spotted a man that fit the burglary suspect’s description walking along Himes Avenue, near Ohio Avenue.

Collins tried to speak to the man, but was met with resistance, the police department said. Before long, the man, later identified as Luis M. Vila, became combative. When Collins tried to detain him, Vila allegedly “struck the officer,” the email said. Collins attempted to deploy his taser, but the device “had little effect.”

At some point during the struggle, police say Collins and Vila ended up on the ground. As Collins tried to subdue Vila, police say Vila continued to strike the officer.

As the two were on the ground, cabbie Ray Freeman came across the scene and decided to help Collins. Freeman was also struck, the agency said. Around that time Delores Lyle, who was making a delivery in the area, also spotted the struggle and chose to act.

“She grabbed the suspect’s feet to keep him from standing up, then sat on his legs,” the police department reported. While Lyle and Freeman helped restrain Vila, Collins was able to handcuff his suspect. Backup arrived shortly thereafter, police said.

Collins, a 27-year veteran of the force, was taken to the hospital to checked out. Vila, however, found himself charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, battery and burglary.

As for Lyle and Freeman, police say they’re heroes.

“I can't say enough about the two citizens who aided one of our officers,” Ward said in a Wednesday night statement. “They were not afraid to get involved. This is a true example of law enforcement and the community working together to keep our city safe."

No serious injuries were reported as a result of the struggle, a “miracle,” Ward said. “This could have ended tragically.”

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Booking photo of Luis Vila from an earlier arrest courtesy of the Tampa Police Department