Talk about a terrifying trip to the gas station…
A Georgia mom was just trying to fill up her tank when, according to police, her ordinary stop turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
The shocking incident happened at a Shell gas station in the city of Marietta this week, where surveillance video reportedly shows a man later identified by police as Jerahn Tucker, 30, approaching the woman’s vehicle while her children were nearby.
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According to police and the surveillance footage obtained by Fox News, ABC News, and others on Friday, Tucker allegedly tried to open the vehicle’s doors before one of the children ran around the SUV as the suspect chased after them.
But this mom wasn’t about to back down. As seen in the surveillance footage, she grabbed the gas pump nozzle and used the attached hose to keep the man away from her child, putting herself directly between the suspect and her family. The confrontation continued until two bystanders stepped in to help, causing the suspect to back away.
Per FOX 5 News in Atlanta, Marietta Police Department Public Information Officer Charles McPhilamy said Tucker initially spoke with the woman before the encounter suddenly escalated:
“He appears to charge at the car. He’s trying to open the car doors. He’s trying to pull the child out of the back seat. What is this individual capable of? What are they doing? Why are they trying to get in my own car? What are they doing? Trying to pull children out of the car.”
Police say Tucker then got back into his own vehicle and drove off.
Fortunately, the situation didn’t end there. Officers stopped Tucker a short distance away from the gas station and took him into custody. He was arrested and, according to police, is being held on charges that include kidnapping and simple assault.
McPhilamy said:
“The actions of the mother and everyone on the scene, their ability to remain calm under pressure and push him away, get him away from the children, get a hold of us so that we can get to the area allowed us to hold this individual accountable.”
As for why this allegedly happened, well, investigators have not yet released a motive.
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Still, the outcome could have been VERY different if the mother hadn’t reacted immediately and if bystanders hadn’t stepped in when they did.
Their actions, along with the quick response from law enforcement, helped bring the frightening encounter to an end — and thank goodness for that!
[Image made for PerezHilton.com]
