(Editor’s note: This first appeared on Diana Christensen’s Facebook page on Wed., April 4.)
Last evening I was downtown, just getting ready to enter a retail establishment, when a young man grabbed me from behind and, (after a struggle) yanked my purse out of my hands.
Immediately, two women came running and the three of us proceeded to chase him. After quite a chase, one of the other women and I (followed by a nice gentleman) were able to catch him and retrieve my purse.
During the chase, my cell phone and car key fell out, and I was afraid they were lost. As I walked back to where it all started looking for those items, there were people all along the way asking about my well-being and talking on the phone with the police. The person who had retrieved the lost phone and key and were returning them to me.
I was met with hugs and applause and genuine concern. I hesitated to post this because I don’t want people to be afraid of working, shopping and going to dance lessons downtown. It is our town and we need to protect that. I decided to post because I never would have had the courage to chase him down on my own, and the overwhelming support and help shows that we can protect our downtown.
Last night the police found him and I believe he is in custody now being charged with robbery. Thank you to those two women heroes (one who was actually brave enough to grab the purse from him once we caught up with him), and to the woman police officer who has been working with me. This is what it means to be a community, and this is what it means to be a strong woman. #thisisredding #heroes #messedwiththewrongwomen
Diana Christensen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education with a Theatre Arts theme, as well as a Master of Arts degree in English Literature. In addition to being on faculty of the Shasta College English department she has also joined the department of Fine Arts as a dance teacher and choreographer. She currently serves as the Artistic Director of Redding City Ballet; Artist Director of Redding Theatre Company; and the owner/director of The Redding Arts Project—a studio of theatre and dance in downtown Redding. She is dedicated to education in the arts, as well as developing and increasing the arts in Redding. Ms. Christensen has four children, four in-law children, six grandchildren, and an amazing husband, all of whom she adores.
