Someone tried to steal my van....

[andre66]

while i was still in it!
I was driving home last night and had just exited the highway when i saw a number of cars stopped and a police cruiser, with lights on, ahead of me so i decided to turn left, to avoid the logjam, before i reached them.

While i was turning i saw a crazed looking guy running down the middle of the street and he went over to the police cruiser and got into the drivers seat. This seemed a little odd to me, because i generally don't see mounties wearing nothing but shorts and work boots, so i pulled over to see what was going on.

I looked over my shoulder out the window but the view was blocked by trees and bushes and before i could get out the maniac came around the corner, with two guys following him, and came up to the left side of my van. I know he thought it was the drivers side and i think he meant to pull me out but i had the windows up for the A/C and as soon as i saw him come around the corner i hit my door locks.

He started screaming "let me in, it's an emergency. I have to get away from here!" That was not going to happen and i did not want to get out of the van to confront him because i wasn't sure if the guys following him were with him or bystanders. I tried to pull away but he grabbed onto my left side mirror, i think he would have just hung on if i drove away, and managed to get in front of the van and he slid his way over to my side.

Now he is screaming and trying to get into my door and all of a sudden a big forearm comes crashing into my window, he's trying to break through and drag me out. He tries it again and i finally decide that the glass probably can't take anymore of this abuse and manage to drive away far enough that he stops trying to run after me.

I get on the phone to 911 tell them about the situation and they ask about the constable on the scene and i tell them i don't know where he is but the maniac tried to steal the police cruiser and my van so the constable is probably hurt somewhere and unable to do anything.

By this time i have turned the van around and now i see a group of guys pulling someone out of the passenger seat of a car. I initially thought that the maniac might not be alone so i thought this was them pulling people out of a car to steal it but while i had turned around and been talking to 911 he had gotten into someones car.

When he got into that car he shoved his thumb into the side of the drivers throat telling him it was a knife, he told him to drive and moved his thumb down to the drivers side at which point the driver saw it for what it was and so he smashed the maniac in the face with his elbow.

At this point the men that had followed him around the corner and one other guy decided to pull him out of the car and subdue him and that is what i saw.

Many, many police cars showed up about 2 minutes later and they took him into custody.

It all started as a traffic stop, turned into assault of a constable, attempted theft of a police cruiser, attempted car(van)jacking, another attempted carjack with attempted kidnapping.

I don't mind telling you while he was trying to smash through my window i was quite scared. I'm pretty sure he was high on something. The whole reason i stopped was i am a level III first aid attendant and i thought someone may need help.

The constable had a knee injury and could not weight bear at all so that was why the guy was able to run amok.
Andre

[konadog]

Scary monsters man!! Hope the cop is ok and the guy who got the thumb crammed in his throat (and you too) aren't overly traumatised (very Dirty Harry cracking the perp. with his elbow - good on him!) Seriously, it's a good thing no one was killed! Yikes! Meth, I betcha...

[jessef]

I'm seen my share of similar situations and never wish it upon anyone else.

Glad to hear it turned out okay.

[asorensen]

Wow, sounds like another good reason for right hand drive vehicles! To confuse crazed would be car jackers.
Although I am not so sure that ICBC/ Transport Canada could be convinced.

Not to make light of your situation though I am glad it wasn't worse than it was. Glad to here your all right.

Andy

[deltadeli]

Glad to hear you are all right - very scary!!

[loki]

Glad it wasn't worse than it was. You a better person than me, I think I would have kept it matted and probably turned a little towards the nutter when he was trying to be Indiana Jones, but I suppose it's hard to tell what you would do until you are in the moment.

[The Pinkfingers]

Jeepers. That's probably not what you were expecting on your drive home! Glad you're OK. Glad your van is too, although even a Delica is nothing compared to a person's life and health. Kind of puts things in perspective when you go through stuff like that.

[Jaz]

looks like your story made it to page 10 in the province today. sounds like a scary experience!

[mararmeisto]

Yikes! It is a bit of a dilemma: wanting to stop to help, having the knowledge to make a difference, and then seeing someone with that look in their eyes. Good to read that you weren't hurt in the ordeal.

Found a link for the story in The Province.