• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Subscribe to the Magazine
American Police Beat

American Police Beat Magazine

Law Enforcement Publication

  • Home
  • Editor’s Picks
    • The power of teamwork
      Stay awake and alert on the job
      The worst rank in law enforcement
      Firearms maintenance
      Why fries need salt
  • Topics
    • On the Job
      • Boulder police recover $400,000 in stolen paintings, drug stash in...
        California police officer rescues three people from car teetering on...
        Stranded driver gets gas refill from helpful police officer
        “I felt like it was my job”: North Carolina officer honored for...
        Ohio police officer goes the extra mile to feed and clothe homeless...
    • Labor
      • Florida pays out $5M in hiring bonuses for more than one thousand...
        Cops leave NYPD in highest number since 9/11
        California police department to pay academy costs to boost recruiting...
        Indiana police department offering $10,000 signing bonus to lateral...
        “The game has clearly changed”: Police departments employ variety...
    • Tech
      • Security flaw in app exposes secret data from hundreds of police raids
        Minnesota law enforcement agencies turn to facial recognition...
        Vehicle infotainment systems vulnerable to hacking
        “It is a game changer:” Minnesota county implements mobile...
        Ohio police lay a trap to nab porch pirates
    • Training
      • Pennsylvania police utilize VR for de-escalation training
        Running your patrol rifle like a champion
        Present ability, opportunity and apparent intent
        Defensive tactics
        Mechanics, consistency and aggression
    • Policy
      • Arkansas sheriff’s offices refuse to enforce federal ATF gun policy
        President Biden signs bill expanding national missing persons database
        California Highway Patrol spotlights new traffic laws for 2023
        Texas law enforcement leaders say the state has too many police...
        Justice Department launches new language initiative after resolving...
    • Health/Wellness
      • Coping with internal investigation or legal action
        The value of data: Wellness through the eyes of officers
        What officers love, hope and worry about
        Don’t be “that guy” — get moving
        Compassion fatigue
    • Community
      • LAPD chief bans “Thin Blue Line” flag from department use
        Friday Night Lights duty
        Oklahoma law enforcement teach children self-defense tactics to build...
        Former Superman actor thanks police officers for their...
        Colorado police department establishes safety zones for internet...
    • Offbeat
      • Drunk-driving suspect performs backflip for Ohio police during...
        “Like a scene from ‘Home Alone’”: Georgia man slips on ice...
        “Some real sitcom stuff there”: Florida burglars call 9-1-1 for...
        Wyoming police officer restores classic Chevy Bel Air as police...
        Santa Cruz police arrest 19-year-old for handing out fake parking...
    • We Remember
      • “I had a calling”: Colorado cadet inspired by fallen hero Eric...
        Chicago police remember fallen and injured officers this holiday...
        Deputy killed by roommate after he “jokingly” pulled trigger of...
        Maryland’s oldest cold case solved
        At least 13 officers shot in five days as wave of violence sweeps...
  • On the Job
    • Boulder police recover $400,000 in stolen paintings, drug stash in...
      California police officer rescues three people from car teetering on...
      Stranded driver gets gas refill from helpful police officer
      “I felt like it was my job”: North Carolina officer honored for...
      Ohio police officer goes the extra mile to feed and clothe homeless...
  • Labor
    • Florida pays out $5M in hiring bonuses for more than one thousand...
      Cops leave NYPD in highest number since 9/11
      California police department to pay academy costs to boost recruiting...
      Indiana police department offering $10,000 signing bonus to lateral...
      “The game has clearly changed”: Police departments employ variety...
  • Tech
    • Security flaw in app exposes secret data from hundreds of police raids
      Minnesota law enforcement agencies turn to facial recognition...
      Vehicle infotainment systems vulnerable to hacking
      “It is a game changer:” Minnesota county implements mobile...
      Ohio police lay a trap to nab porch pirates
  • Training
    • Pennsylvania police utilize VR for de-escalation training
      Running your patrol rifle like a champion
      Present ability, opportunity and apparent intent
      Defensive tactics
      Mechanics, consistency and aggression
  • Policy
    • Arkansas sheriff’s offices refuse to enforce federal ATF gun policy
      President Biden signs bill expanding national missing persons database
      California Highway Patrol spotlights new traffic laws for 2023
      Texas law enforcement leaders say the state has too many police...
      Justice Department launches new language initiative after resolving...
  • Health/Wellness
    • Coping with internal investigation or legal action
      The value of data: Wellness through the eyes of officers
      What officers love, hope and worry about
      Don’t be “that guy” — get moving
      Compassion fatigue
  • Community
    • LAPD chief bans “Thin Blue Line” flag from department use
      Friday Night Lights duty
      Oklahoma law enforcement teach children self-defense tactics to build...
      Former Superman actor thanks police officers for their...
      Colorado police department establishes safety zones for internet...
  • Offbeat
    • Drunk-driving suspect performs backflip for Ohio police during...
      “Like a scene from ‘Home Alone’”: Georgia man slips on ice...
      “Some real sitcom stuff there”: Florida burglars call 9-1-1 for...
      Wyoming police officer restores classic Chevy Bel Air as police...
      Santa Cruz police arrest 19-year-old for handing out fake parking...
  • We Remember
    • “I had a calling”: Colorado cadet inspired by fallen hero Eric...
      Chicago police remember fallen and injured officers this holiday...
      Deputy killed by roommate after he “jokingly” pulled trigger of...
      Maryland’s oldest cold case solved
      At least 13 officers shot in five days as wave of violence sweeps...
  • Between the Lines
    • Persecution of the LEO is Classic Schadenfreude
      The Rule of Law is Worthless Without Order
      School policing: a paradox of the defund movement
      Defending the honor of the LE profession – finally!
      The dichotomy of the defund movement: reality setting in
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Search

On the Job

Police officers and good Samaritans lift stolen car off trapped cyclist

APB Team Published January 3, 2023 @ 9:53 am PST

Watsonville Police Department

Watsonville, California, police officers and good Samaritans recently worked together to lift a stolen car off a trapped 65-year-old cyclist who was struck by the vehicle.

Body-camera footage of the dramatic incident released by the Watsonville Police Department showed responding officers aided by five or six helpful citizens who assisted in lifting the car and ultimately saving the cyclist’s life.

The incident took place on December 15 after Watsonville police approached the stolen car on Main Street and Pacific Avenue. The suspect, 22-year-old Enrique Garcia, jumped out of the driver’s side of the moving vehicle and fled after police arrived. The car continued to move forward, struck the cyclist and pinned him underneath it.

Police interviewed one of the good Samaritans, Marvin Luna, in a video posted on Facebook. Luna said he was on a lunch break when he heard police yelling for help and came running.

“I just did what I could,” Luna said. “Everything was happening so fast. All I really wanted to do was help.”

The body-camera video showed the group of men working in unison to lift the vehicle, with someone shouting: “Lift! Lift! Lift!”

After the cyclist was pulled to freedom, paramedics arrived to render further assistance. The cyclist is currently recovering from his injuries and is in stable condition.

“I came back to work and I told my coworkers, you’re not going to believe it, like, one of the craziest lunches I’ve ever had!” Luna said.

Corporal Isaak Rodriguez was proud of the team’s quick efforts to lift the car off the victim’s chest.

“Seconds matter,” he said. “He was gasping for air.”

Watsonville police said Garcia was chased down by officers and taken into custody. He was later booked at the Santa Cruz County Jail. He faces charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless driving causing bodily injury and evading a peace officer with disregard for safety.

Police are still looking to find all those who helped that day, in the hopes of honoring them for their heroic act. Spokesperson Michelle Pulido offered thanks on behalf of the city of Watsonville: “If it wasn’t for them, this could have turned into a complete tragedy, so we’re extremely thankful for the residents who without hesitation, ran in, helped our officers and because of that, today, this man is alive.”

The responding officers were moved by the good deed, as well. “Knowing that there’s still people out there that are willing to help, help out a complete stranger in a time of need, it’s one of the greatest feelings that I’ve ever felt,” Rodriguez said.

Categories: On the Job Tags: good Samaritans, heroes, Watsonville Police Department, stolen vehicle, trapped cyclist, Enrique Garcia, Marvin Luna, California, community, carjacking

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • Security flaw in app exposes secret data from hundreds of police raids
  • Minnesota law enforcement agencies turn to facial recognition technology to identify potential suspects
  • LAPD chief bans “Thin Blue Line” flag from department use
  • Boulder police recover $400,000 in stolen paintings, drug stash in hotel room
  • Pennsylvania police utilize VR for de-escalation training
  • California police officer rescues three people from car teetering on cliff edge
  • Florida pays out $5M in hiring bonuses for more than one thousand officers over past six months
  • Cops leave NYPD in highest number since 9/11
  • California police department to pay academy costs to boost recruiting and offset labor shortages
  • Vehicle infotainment systems vulnerable to hacking

Footer

Our Mission
To serve as a trusted voice of the nation’s law enforcement community, providing informative, entertaining and inspiring content on interesting and engaging topics affecting peace officers today.

Contact us: info@apbweb.com | (800) 234-0056.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Categories

  • Editor’s Picks
  • On the Job
  • Labor
  • Tech
  • Training
  • Policy
  • Health/Wellness
  • Community
  • Offbeat
  • We Remember
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Events

Editor’s Picks

The power of teamwork

The power of teamwork

July 23, 2021

Stay awake and alert on the job

Stay awake and alert on the job

July 20, 2021

The worst rank in law enforcement

The worst rank in law enforcement

July 19, 2021

Firearms maintenance

Firearms maintenance

July 04, 2021

Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2023 APB Media, LLC | Website design, development and maintenance by 911MEDIA

Open

Subscribe

Close
Receive the latest news and updates from American Police Beat directly to your inbox!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.