Current:Home > NewsVideo shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks -MoneyMatrix
Video shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks
View
Date:2025-04-14 06:31:03
One accused carjacker chose the wrong Starbucks drive-thru to target.
Dashcam footage released late last month shows the end of a police chase in Ocala, Florida, in which suspect Michael Prouty, 39, was being pursued after he allegedly broke into a local resident's house and stole their purse, cell phone and Cadilliac car, according to police.
Following a short chase in which the Prouty allegedly damaged several other cars in the stolen vehicle, he crashed at an intersection and took off on foot, approaching cars sitting in a nearby Starbucks drive-thru.
This is where Army veteran Shane Spicer first laid eyes on the suspect.
Spicer told local affiliate FOX 35 Orlando that he was barely awake and waiting in line for his coffee fix when he saw the crash and subsequent foot chase unfold. It was then that Spicer said he saw Prouty forcing his way into another car lined up in the drive-thru.
"(He was) sprinting up to Starbucks, and he didn’t look like a Starbucks coffee drinker," Spicer told Fox 35. "Then he yanked the girl out of the car. And just kind of an instinctive, kind of reactionary thing."
March for Isreal livestream:'March for Israel' rally livestream: Supporters gather in Washington DC
Footage shows moment would-be carjacker is foiled
The released dashcam footage shows Prouty trying to enter a woman's vehicle from the driver's side in what police said was an attempted carjacking. Multiple outlets have since reported that the woman driving the car was also pregnant at the time.
Spicer can then be seen exiting his own vehicle and sprinting over to intervene, getting into the passenger side of the would-be victim's car to fight Prouty off. Bodycam footage from one of the arresting officers then shows Spicer chasing Prouty down and holding him until police are able to catch up and make the arrest.
In a press release, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken also acknowledged another good Samaritan, Tom Episcopo, who he said slowed Prouty down earlier in the chase.
"We are proud of these two citizens for their heroic action, for helping our officers make the arrest, and for keeping our community safe," Chief Balken shared.
According to the release, Prouty has a lengthy criminal history and is facing multiple charges. Ocala police charged Prouty with fleeing and eluding, attempted carjacking, crash involving injuries, and resisting arrest, while authorities in Sumter County, where he stole the original vehicle, are charging him with home invasion, battery on a person over 65, and grand theft of a vehicle.
"I feel like if you’ve got the ability to watch out for someone, that you should," Spicer told Fox 35. "I would just hope that someone would do the same for my family."
Man crashes into deputies in wild video:Video shows man crashing car into Florida sheriff's deputies, injuring 2
veryGood! (49778)
Related
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Officials identify two workers — one killed, one still missing — after Kentucky coal plant collapse
- Vanessa Hudgens Reveals Why She's So Overwhelmed Planning Her Wedding to Cole Tucker
- UN officials says the average Gazan is living on two pieces of bread a day, and people need water
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Robert De Niro's girlfriend Tiffany Chen, ex-assistant take witness stand
- Pac-12 showdown and SEC clashes: The 7 biggest games of Week 10 in college football
- Florida man faces charges after pregnant woman is stabbed, hit with cooking pan, police say
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Priscilla Presley recalls final moments with daughter Lisa Marie: 'She looked very frail'
Ranking
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- If you think you are hidden on the internet, think again! Stalk yourself to find out
- Two former Northwestern football players say they experienced racism in program in 2000s
- Target offering a Thanksgiving dinner for $25: How to order the meal that will feed 4
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Car crashes through gate at South Carolina nuclear plant before pop-up barrier stops it
- Next level: Unmanned U.S. Navy boat fires weapons in Middle East for first time
- NFL coaching staffs are getting more diverse. But one prominent coaching position is not.
Recommendation
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Trump, other Republicans call for travel restrictions, sparking new 'Muslim ban' fears
4 Virginia legislative candidates, including ex-congressman, are accused of violence against women
Texas Rangers and their fans celebrate World Series title with parade in Arlington
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
Behati Prinsloo Reveals Sex of Baby No. 3 With Adam Levine Nearly a Year After Giving Birth
Puerto Rican ex-boxer Félix Verdejo sentenced to life in prison in the killing of his pregnant lover
‘Free Solo’ filmmakers dive into fiction with thrilling swim drama ‘Nyad’