Man jumps on car hood to prevent teen from stealing car

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 15-year-old boy attempted to steal a car Wednesday morning from a Marathon gas station in west Charlotte, according to police.

Police said the suspect attempted to steal a car around 12:45 a.m. that the owner left running on West Trade Street while he went inside the gas station.

The owner of the vehicle saw the car being stolen and jumped on the hood of the vehicle, police said.

The suspect attempted to eject the victim but crashed the car and attempted to run from the scene.

A man at the gas station saw the victim jump on the car as the teen was allegedly stealing it.

"He got him a good ride," business owner Perry Welch said. "Better than Carowinds."

Al Deas watched as the car looped around Bojangle's and back to the gas station where it crashed.

Deas said he was at the gas station buying Kool-Aid when he jumped in to help the victim hold the 15-year-old suspect.

(MUST SEE: CMPD officers help victim get out of ditch after car was stolen)

"Kool-Aid! I come to get Kool-Aid, and I end up catching a carjacker," Deas said. "And he had a friend who came across the street with a book bag saying 'Y'all let my brother go or I'm going to kill you,' and I'm like, 'You know what? You gonna shoot me today, you understand?'"

The suspect was not armed. No one was injured.

The suspect was charged with motor vehicle theft, but because of his age, his name will not be released.

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