Current:Home > StocksVideo shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks -Thrive Capital Insights
Video shows Army veteran stopping suspect from jacking pregnant woman's car at a Florida Starbucks
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:56:56
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! (546)
Related
- 'Meet me at the gate': Watch as widow scatters husband's ashes, BASE jumps into canyon
- Mexican officials regret US decision not to retry American rancher in fatal shooting of Mexican man
- Jason Kelce Proves He Needs No Pointers on Being a Girl Dad to 3 Daughters With Kylie Kelce
- Rep. Elise Stefanik seeks probe of special counsel Jack Smith over Trump 2020 election case
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Suspect named, 2 people being questioned after 4 officers killed serving warrant in NC
- Select list of nominees for 2024 Tony Awards
- Apple juice lot recalled due to high arsenic levels; product sold at Publix, Kroger, more
- Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
- The Twins’ home-run sausage is fueling their eight-game winning streak
Ranking
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- Coach Deion Sanders, Colorado illuminate the pros and cons of wide-open transfer portal
- US and Mexico will boost deportation flights and enforcement to crack down on illegal migration
- Focus turns to demeanor of girlfriend charged in Boston officer’s death on second day of trial
- Giants, Lions fined $200K for fights in training camp joint practices
- Score 75% Off Old Navy, 45% Off Brooklinen, 68% Off Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Skincare & More Deals
- Feds testing ground beef sold where dairy cows were stricken by bird flu
- Powerball winning numbers for April 29 drawing: Jackpot rises to $178 million
Recommendation
RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
An influencer ran a half marathon without registering. People were not happy.
These 17 Mandalorian Gifts Are Out of This Galaxy
Coach Deion Sanders, Colorado illuminate the pros and cons of wide-open transfer portal
A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
Arkansas’ elimination of ‘X’ for sex on driver’s licenses spurs lawsuit
Bella Hadid Started Wellness Journey After Experiencing “Pretty Dark” Time
Campaign to build new California city submits signatures to get on November ballot