Detroit Priest Tackles Car Thief in Clerical Collar

When Reverend Canon Jean-Baptiste Commins heard tires screech and metal crunch outside Saint Joseph Shrine on Monday evening, he did what any good shepherd would do. He ran straight toward the danger.

The French priest spotted an 18-year-old suspect fleeing the crash scene with only one shoe on. Without hesitation, Commins tackled the young man in full clerical attire and held him down until police arrived.

"I grabbed him and put him down," Commins said. "He was resisting a lot, trying to run away, definitely."

The suspect had allegedly stolen a car before crashing into another vehicle near Saint Aubin and Antietam in Detroit. Police had been trying to stop the vehicle when the crash happened. A woman inside the other car suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Commins hurt his hand subduing the suspect but kept his focus on safety. He didn't know if the young man had a weapon. Another church member jumped in to help restrain the suspect until officers could take over.

Once police had the situation under control, the priest immediately shifted into pastoral mode. He rushed to the injured woman's car to offer spiritual comfort and stayed with her and the medics until she received care.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story remarkable isn't just the physical bravery. It's how seamlessly Commins moved between protector and pastor, between stopping a threat and offering prayers to someone in pain.

After police arrested the suspect and detained three others believed to be connected to the stolen vehicle, Commins returned to his normal routine. He attended evening prayers with his community and sat down for dinner.

"Just another day in the D," he joked, showing the kind of humble humor that often marks true heroes.

His response captures something beautiful about everyday courage. Commins didn't see himself as exceptional. He saw someone running from accountability, heard someone say "stop him," and his instincts took over.

The 18-year-old suspect now faces the legal system. But he'll also carry the memory of a priest who cared enough about his community to get his hands dirty, then cared enough about a stranger's soul to offer her final rites if needed.

Detroit has its challenges, but it also has people like Reverend Commins watching over their neighborhoods. That's the kind of guardian every community deserves.