Worker helps CPD officer catch fleeing suspect

When a construction worker throwing drywall in a trash receptacle saw a man running from Columbus police, he said he didn’t have to think before acting.

“I just sprinted off right after him, said Josh Isaacs, a 28-year-old Columbus resident who is being credited with catching the suspect and taking him to the ground.

The incident happened about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday when Columbus police officer Travis Harbaugh saw Derek B. Woodson, 37, 5213 Lamplight Drive, near the intersection of 25th Street and U.S. 31 and attempted to stop Woodson on a warrant for his arrest, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Woodson took off on foot, and Harbaugh yelled for him to stop, which is where Isaacs entered the picture.

Hired as a temporary construction worker on a Burger King renovation at the intersection, Isaacs said he heard Harbaugh yell at Woodson to stop and saw that the police officer was about 40 yards behind. Isaacs went after Woodson and caught him after about 10 yards, both landing on concrete, Isaacs said.

Isaacs took both of Woodson’s hands and put them behind his back and put his knee in Woodson’s back to keep him on the ground, he said.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.