8 RECEIVE BRAVERY AWARDS; CRIME WITNESSES HELP NAB SUSPECTS.

Byline: Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writer

They've chased down and helped police capture purse snatcher, burglary and sex offender suspects.

On Tuesday, the crime fighting efforts of eight San Fernando Valley men and women were honored through Courageous Citizen awards from Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti.

``Courageous citizens heard the cries for help and, rather than look the other way, they offered assistance,'' Garcetti said in a written statement. Their ``heroism is critical to my office's ability to later prosecute the perpetrators of crime.''

The eight were honored at the Porter Valley Country Club during a luncheon sponsored by the District Attorney's Office in cooperation with the Northridge/Chatsworth and Granada Hills Rotary clubs.

Neil Leary of Sherman Oaks chased, caught and held a suspect until police arrived after he saw two teen-agers grab a senior citizen's purse in May.

Also in May, Jacqueline Perez and Jose Serenil Jr., both of Arleta, and Mission Hills resident Mario Garcia saw a teen-ager take a purse from a car in a supermarket parking lot. The trio retrieved the purse and saw where the teen hid. They told police officers, who arrested him.

Larry Weber of Hidden Hills and Thomas Nelson of Woodland Hills spotted a burglar fleeing with stolen goods from a home. Weber got a good look at the burglar and later identified the suspect in a police lineup. Nelson wrote down the license plate of the getaway car. Nelson has since died, so the award was accepted by his wife.

Shadow Hills resident Elisa Stern, a teacher's aide, helped police arrest a convicted sex offender who repeatedly exposed himself to students at Mountain View School in Tujunga. With her cell phone in hand, she staked out the school for several days until the man returned. She called authorities and trailed the man as he tried to escape.

Mohsen Lavizani of Santa Clarita was delivering water in May when he helped Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs capture a man who smashed the rear door of the councilman's Studio City home.

Also honored Tuesday was Los Angeles resident Christopher Morton Marcovici, who saw an crash on the Golden State Freeway in Newhall and stopped to help the injured driver of one car. When the other driver tried to flee on foot, Marcovici captured him after a physical struggle.

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PHOTO Councilman Joel Wachs, left, describes Mohsen Lavizani, right, a brave citizen as District Attorney Gil Garcetti listens.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News