A gun-toting citizen possibly saved a woman’s life Friday when he shot a thief who was trying to drive off with her car, Smyrna police said.
That is because the woman climbed on the hood of her escaping Honda, apparently intent on stopping the theft from a car wash. That prompted the driver to speed up, witnesses told Channel 2 Action News.
A Smyrna City worker who was getting his car washed pulled out a pistol and shot the alleged thief, causing the white Honda to stop. The suspect, who was shot in the shoulder, was arrested.
The suspect is a juvenile from Atlanta and was charged with car theft and aggravated assault, Officer Christopher Graeff said.
“If that guy didn’t shoot, she probably would end up losing her life,” Tasha Orr told the television station. “He came by with the car. He picked up speed. She was on the hood, and I saw her starting t0 get off the hood. He picked up speed.”
A police patrol unit, which witnessed the crime, took off after a fleeing red van they suspect brought the thief to the 3-Minute Car Wash at South Cobb Drive and Highlands Parkway, Graeff said.
The wounded suspect was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital to be treated and is expected to survive.
“I don’t want to say he deserved to get shot, but he definitely deserved to get stopped,” witness Arthur Lee told Channel 2. “Something could have happened, because she wasn’t letting go until that car would have thrown her off.”
Police are still investigating, Graeff said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Smyrna Police Department at 770-434-9481 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.
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