A Perth teenager who chased a burglar through suburban backyards and performed a citizen's arrest has been hailed as a hero and a "true role model" by family members.
Teal Smith, 18, had returned to her Spearwood home with her parents at about 6.30pm on Saturday evening when she heard strange noises coming from her backyard.
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Perth teen takes down intruder in citizens arrest
Perth teenager Teal chased a man who broke into her home, ran after him and then pinned him to the ground until police arrived. Vision: Nine News Perth.
Upon investigating the noise, Ms Smith spotted a man "dressed in all black, wearing a balaclava" peering at her through a gap in the doorway.
"She didn't think twice about running after him, and chased him through the backyard," Nine News Perth reported.
Ms Smith jumped a neighbour's fence in order to give chase to the offender, and was soon hot on his tail.
"Once he's realised that I've spotted him, he's jumped over the fence. Once he's gotten over, he stopped to check if I'm still following- and then continued running and got out through another gate," Ms Smith said.
The offender then went through a very small gate on a neighbouring property, and jumped yet another fence.
"I re-thought [jumping that fence], and went around the property," she said.
![Teal Smith chased a burglar and made a citizen's arrest.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170609055500im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/m/7/y/g/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwm6at.png/1496804210167.jpg)
"I ended up bumping into him and falling to the floor."
Ms Smith pinned the man down and waited for her family to come to her assistance. Her father then helped her hold the offender until WA Police arrived.
Her sister Keiva posted about the experience on Facebook, and said she couldn't be prouder of Teal.
"Teal chased him over fences, through neighbours backyards and traffic and subdued him in someone backyard - no fear, no concern for her safety, this is what makes a true role model," she said.
A 42-year-old man has been charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, and two counts of stealing as a result of the citizen's arrest. He is expected to face court for the second time on Wednesday.
WA Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said while Ms Smith had been extremely brave, they did not encourage members of the public to pursue offenders.
"We accept that people make decisions on the spur of the moment and sometimes the decision to pursue or apprehend a suspect may be the right decision, dependent on the circumstances and their own physical capabilities," she said.
"But – we ask the public to always consider their personal safety above everything else and if an offender is running away and you don't know if they are carrying a weapon, not pursuing may well prove to be the best possible outcome.
"We recommend getting as detailed a description as possible and a direction of travel. A member of public might seek others to assist and patrol the direction of travel from a vehicle and if the suspect is re-sighted, they can follow from a distance and provide further direction to attending police."
As for Ms Smith, she is currently basking in her new-found hero status.
"[My parents] think I'm Xena," she said.
"They think I'm bloody amazing."