Paramedic Neighbor Chases Burglar, Saves Injured Man

When David Aprea heard screaming Thursday morning, he looked up to see his neighbor running from his house covered in blood. The 73-year-old had just been slammed to the ground by a home invader on 50th Street in West Palm Beach.

Aprea didn't think twice. He and another neighbor took off running after the fleeing suspect, chasing him down a driveway until the burglar tried hopping a fence and dropped his bag of stolen items.

After recovering everything the intruder had taken, Aprea immediately switched into paramedic mode. The victim was bleeding from his head and in serious pain from being thrown to the floor.

"I had a medical kit in my truck and took care of him," Aprea explained simply. His 38 years as a New York paramedic meant he had exactly the skills needed in that terrifying moment.

West Palm Beach police arrested Zieare Peavy just blocks away shortly after the incident. He now faces charges of home invasion and aggravated battery.

Sunny's Take

When asked about his actions, Aprea shrugged off any suggestion of heroism. "It's just the nature of me. I saw somebody in need and I helped them," he said, calling it "just a basic day."

His humility is genuine, but his wife had a different perspective. She was upset that he'd put himself in danger by chasing an intruder, and Aprea admits with a laugh that he "got in trouble" at home.

The 73-year-old victim, who speaks only Spanish and requested privacy, is recovering from his injuries. Thanks to his neighbor's quick thinking, he got immediate medical care and all his belongings back.

Aprea never once considered his own safety during those crucial minutes. For him, helping someone in crisis wasn't a choice to debate. It was simply what needed to happen, and he was there to make it happen.