Russell Crowe - Crime Fighter Crowe Nails Thug

Movie wildman RUSSELL CROWE put his razor sharp reactions to good use by helping police in Paris, France identify a violent thug.

The GLADIATOR star spotted an American couple being mugged as he left a restaurant in the French capital last month (OCT05).

And although the attacker escaped, Crowe remembered his face and identified him to the authorities.

A witness says, "It happened too fast for him to react but he got a good look at the thug's face.

"He comforted the victims until cops came then he went to a police station and identified a mug shot.

"The mugger was then held in a line-up and Crowe made a positive ID."