Calgary father stops alleged carjacking with his children in the backseat
A Calgary father says he's traumatized after a man attempted to steal his vehicle while his two children were still in the backseat.
Jonathan Bandialan was picking up dinner from a restaurant along Memorial Drive N.E. Wednesday when his dash-cam captured the terrifying scene.
Bandialan's 16-year-old son Jezthene and two-year-old daughter were waiting in the warm vehicle when the video shows a man appear in front of the van. He circles back a few times, looking inside, before he can be heard entering the vehicle's front seat.
A short exchange with Jezthene ensues, where the man orders the teen to leave the vehicle.
"I'm taking the van," he can be heard saying, “Get out."
"I wanted to fight, but he's tall and I (was) so scared," Jezthene told CTV News.
But his father says Jezthene's quick thinking saved the day.
The teen was able to stall the man, saying he needed to help his sister out of the van and grab his belongings before leaving.
That's when he says he phoned his dad, who was just metres away in the restaurant.
"He told me, in Filipino words, 'Dad, hurry up,'" Bandialan said. "And so I ran out. He opened the door already so I could easily get in."
The van's back door was thrown open, and on the footage, Jonathan can be heard entering the moving vehicle as the man pulls out of the parking lot.
"I grabbed him right away and he tried to fight back," Bandialan said. "He's a big guy. Strong, too."
But luckily for the family, the father is trained in martial arts. Using the back of the front seat as leverage, he was able to pin the man from the van's middle seats.
"I got a chance to choke him, I used my strength and then I heard him speaking," he said.
On the recording, just seconds after the struggle started, the man can be heard begging to be let free. As Bandialan's young daughter cried, Jezthene pulled the parking brake and the vehicle came to a stop.
Despite Bandialan's best efforts, he says the man was able to escape and flee the scene.
The father briefly considered chasing the man again, but says he decided against it.
"I just wanted to get back my son, my daughter, you know," Bandialan said. "I don't think about my car, that's a material thing."
Police were phoned and an investigation is ongoing, but officers say no arrests have been made.
Anyone who may have more information about what happened is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.