San Diego security officer intervenes in robbery www.privateofficer.com

San Diego CA April 12 2012The incident happened near San Diego Police Department headquarters on 14th Street shortly before 10 p.m., police said.

According to police, a woman was walking when 35-year-old Marcus Gregory Higgs allegedly attacked her and then shoved her into some bushes. Higgs allegedly stole a $20 bill and a $50 restaurant gift card from the victim and was trying to sexually assault her when her screams caught the attention of the off-duty guard who happened to be nearby, according to SDPD Det. Gary Hassen.

“I heard a loud shout … ‘Get off me, get off me,’” said Nick Murico, who had just wrapped up a shift at the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. He said when he looked at the bush, he saw a man on top of a woman. “The man said, ‘I know her, go away, mind your own business.’

She was saying that’s not the case, please help me,’” said Murico. Murico, who has worked security at the Tilted Kilt for four years, said his next actions were instinctive because of his training. Though he’s trained in martial arts, he said he first tried another technique. “There’s a term called verbal judo, which means use words and not your body to calm people down,” Murico told 10News.

Murico said he made it clear he wasn’t going away. “I let him know he was right next to a police station and there was no way he was getting away with what he was doing,” said Murico. While the man was distracted for a moment, Murico flagged down a nearby patrol car. The officers from the car arrested Higgs, who was taken to a hospital to be checked out, then booked on suspicion of robbery, assault with intent to commit rape and providing a false name to police. “It can always be worse, so I’m glad it was not,” said Murico.

  10News reporter Michael Chen said, “Many would call you a hero.” “I wouldn’t call myself a hero. I think everybody should help someone if they hear someone crying for help,” Murico replied. The 46-year-old victim was treated for minor injuries, Hassen said. Higgs, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 350 pounds, was denied bail, pending arraignment scheduled for Friday afternoon