The Manhattan Times

Cadet Nelson Banser, the Bronx Community College Air Force ROTC student who helped stop a mugger from leaving his Washington Heights apartment building in February has earned his stripes.

Banser has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after completing the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and graduating with a bachelor's degree.

Back in February Banser missed a training weekend after falling ill, and was in his lobby waiting for take out food when he heard a woman scream upstairs. Her mugger, Evan Turner, 56, tried to flee the building, but was detained by Banser and later arrested.

Now, a lieutenant, Banser is waiting for his duty to begin.

“I’m awaiting active duty orders,” Banser said in an email. “I love my community and I would like to be an example to the young men and women in our community.”