John Arthur Thomas - Repeat Sex Offender - Nabbed by Hero

Hakiem Bostic didn't think twice about collaring a man who turned out to be a registered sex offender.

"I didn't need a Red Bull," he said. "My adrenaline was pumping."

All he knew was that the boy in front of him said the man had made him feel uncomfortable on the light rail train.

That it appeared the man had looked at him below the waist.

That he offered him $20.

Then the boy pointed out that the man apparently had followed him from the train to the gas station where Bostic was emptying garbage cans.

That's all Bostic, the 41-year-old owner of Clean-N-Sweep Janitorial, needed. He was on the run after the man, confronting him as the man crouched down apparently in an attempt to hide at a nearby church.

"I'd rather not say what I said," Bostic said Tuesday, "But it was something to the effect: 'You are coming with me. If you try to run off I'm whuppin' you. I know I can run faster than you.'"

The man wanted to apologize to the boy. But Bostic would have none of that.

Bostic called police, who praised him Tuesday for protecting the 14-year-old.

Police said the boy was riding a Regional Transit light rail train at about 9 a.m. Friday when he was allegedly approached by John Arthur Thomas, 45, of Sacramento.

Thomas asked the boy "What would you do for $20?" and made several sexually suggestive gestures, said Sacramento police Officer Konrad Von Schoech said.

"The kid felt this guy was propositioning him for sex," Von Schoech said.

The exchange prompted the boy to exit the light rail before reaching his planned stop, and he saw Thomas follow him off the train.

The boy then ran across the street to the gas station at 24th Street and Fruitridge Road, Von Schoech said. Bostic said the worried boy was small for his age.

Police lauded the boy for his actions and willingness to tell an adult.

"Turns out, (Thomas) is a registered sex offender who has a history of doing this," police spokesman Von Schoech said.

Thomas has a prior conviction of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old, according to online Megan's Law information.

"We're so thankful we have community members like this," Von Schoech said.

Bostic said he has caught thieves stealing from his neighbors - a window screen, tires and recyclables. But nothing like this.

"I'd do it again immediately," he said. "I've got grandkids and daughters. I'd do it in a heartbeat."

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte