A horrible incident could have been much worse, if not for the bravery of an 11-year-old girl.
Mark Beasanski pulled into a BP gas station in Aurora, Illinois and exited his Jeep Cherokee to go to the pump, when another man hopped in the car from a nearby Dodge Charger and took off, according to WGN. Making matters worse, Beasanski’s young daughter was in the backseat at the time. It is unclear if the man was aware that there was someone else in the car.
The incident, which took place at 5:45 Friday morning, was caught on security video, and footage shows the young girl diving out the side of the SUV while it was moving. Father and daughter can be seen hugging after she got up and ran away.
An hour later, police located the Jeep and arrested 20-year-old Tyrelle Pulley on suspicion of stealing the car. Pulley is believed to have an accomplice, who is still on the loose, police said.
Beasanski had apparently shut down the car’s engine before leaving the car, but had left the key inside. This prompted Aurora Police spokesperson Dan Ferrelli to offer the following warning:
This is really sad to say about society today, but although he turned the vehicle off you have to take the key with you. You’ve got to take the opportunity away from just a brazen criminal to do something like this.
According to the local station, Tulley is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face charges.
[Image via screengrab]
