A dramatic incident in Adelaide’s north-west was captured on camera, showing a worker being forcibly pushed from his own vehicle while attempting to thwart a theft. The 56-year-old man from Port Adelaide now faces multiple charges, including endangering life and assaulting an emergency service worker.
The alleged theft occurred at approximately 3:30 PM when Sanjay Reddy, the owner of the work ute, made a quick stop at a local business. He left the keys on the driver’s seat, which allowed the thief to drive off with the vehicle. Upon realising that his ute was being stolen, Reddy tried to intervene. He recounted his experience: “When I grabbed the door and asked him what he was doing, he told me to ‘f— off’. It was then I realised he was stealing my car, so I attempted to grab him.”
CCTV footage captured a man wandering through the Athol Park business area shortly before the theft took place. Police, aided by a helicopter, were able to track down the alleged thief in Port Adelaide. However, during the arrest, the suspect reportedly assaulted a police officer while attempting to flee.
Reddy sustained injuries to his back and hand during the confrontation, expressing relief that he was not run over. He stated, “I was lucky he didn’t drive over me.”
This unsettling incident highlights the risks individuals may face when confronting thieves and underscores the challenges law enforcement encounters in apprehending suspects.