Cisneros Sees Urban Plight, Gives Chase

WASHINGTON — As he left a barbershop near Dupont Circle on Saturday, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry G. Cisneros spotted an urban problem that needed immediate attention.

Cisneros said he saw two youths seize something from a vendor’s table--two trays of watches, as it turned out--and take off down an alley.

In coat and tie, Cisneros chased them, speeding down two alleys, across two streets, over a couple of lawns and up a third alley, with timepieces flying.

Two youths were taken into custody, one seized by a passing police officer who joined the chase and another collared by the same officer after the youth literally ran into Cisneros, the secretary said.

“I figured, ‘What kind of citizen or government leader would I be if I didn’t try to help?’ ” Cisneros said.