REDDING – A Redding woman nearly had her car stolen, but was helped by a man on the scene.
According to Redding police, on Friday, July 25, 51-year-old Tami Grissom of Redding had left her car in the parking lot near the 99 Cent Only Store on Hilltop Drive. Perhaps she just planned to pop in there, or perhaps the Ross clothing store next door, for just a second, but she not only left the keys in the car, she left it running and unlocked. The temptation was likely too much for a homeless man nearby, who jumped in and tried to drive off with it.
Brent Peterson stole a car for just a moment, but it didn’t work out.
Grissom, who was still nearby, raised an alarm and tried to stop him. As the car thief, 27-year-old Brent Peterson, tried to get away he ended up hitting her. Meanwhile, another man in the area saw what was happening, and pulled Peterson out of the car before he could complete his escape. Police were called at 6:14 pm while the hero, 54-year-old Richard Alberg, held Peterson captive.
Police arrived and took Peterson into custody, booking him into the Shasta County jail on charges of auto theft. Though referred to as a transient, he lists his home as Provo, Utah.
Ms. Grissom suffered only minor injuries from the collision, but has been warned, as all drivers should be, to never leave their keys in the car, and to lock it up behind them.