Newport News, Va. - A man accused of knocking a woman down and taking her money at a Newport News Walmart is behind bars thanks to a few citizens who took action to help including two construction workers.
On Thursday afternoon at around 1 p.m., a 29-year-old woman cashed her money order at the Walmart on Harpersville Rd. and Jefferson Ave. As she was leaving the store, police say Markquie Harden knocked her on the ground and robbed her.
Christopher Wright and David Goodnoh were there as the whole thing unfolded. NewsChannel 3 spoke with them and they say two women were cashing a money order for about $4,000.
Goodnoh was behind the women while he was waiting in the line to purchase cigarettes.
He got out of line because of the long wait time and started to walk around the corner to the back parking lot when he says he heard screaming. He says one of the women was yelling and chasing after Harden through a field outside of the Walmart.
He told NewsChannel 3 the other woman got inside of her car to follow Harden.
David told Christopher something was going on and both men ran across the street when they heard screaming.
They say Harden was beating one of the women and when he spotted Davis and Christopher, he tried to make a run for it. He tried going to the backyard of a house but ended up running around the front where David says he tackled Harden to the ground.
They held him until police arrived on the scene.
Harden is now in jail with no bond and he has been charged with robbery, assault and battery and possession of marijuana.
The woman sustained minor injuries police say.
