When Man Saw Would-Be Thief in the Driver Seat of His Car, He ‘Just Saw Red’ — Surveillance Cameras Caught the Result

Eric Harrietha said he left his car running outside a gas station in Pierce County, Washington, but started having second thoughts once he got inside.

Sure enough, when he went out to check on his car moments later, someone was trying to steal it.

"When I saw someone sitting in my driver's seat, I just saw red. I was like, you know what, this guy's going to get it," Harrietha told KIRO-TV in Seattle.

Image source: KIRO-TV

That was when Harrietha ran over to his car, opened the front passenger side door and put it into neutral. Surveillance video, which captured the entire incident, then shows Harrietha wrestling the suspect out of the opposite side of the car and onto the pavement.

Moments later, a bystander — whom Harrietha told KIRO was an off-duty police officer — is seen coming over to break up the fight.

"At this point I have him like this. I'm talking kung fu grip. I'm not lettin' him breathe," Harrietha said. "I tried to stand up and put my foot on his head and he's like 'No, no, this guy's had enough."

By the time it was all over, Harrietha said the suspect was apologizing because he "knew he was caught."

But it was too late for apologies.

Deputies arrested Travis Warfel and charged with theft of a motor vehicle, making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools and reckless endangerment.

His bail was set at $50,000.

While Harrietha helped cops snag one of the suspects, deputies say Warfel wasn't alone and are still looking for two other men seen in surveillance video in a black Honda.

The two other suspects might not be on the run for much longer, if Harrietha can help it.

"I’m going to be looking for that black Honda," Harrietha told KIRO.

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