A family out for fast food Saturday night was nearly taken for a wild ride by a would-be carjacker whose attempts were thwarted by a frightened but angry father.
According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s station, the victims were at McDonald’s on Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country when the patriarch was approached by an 18-year old male Hispanic who demanded the car.
The victim told deputies that the aggressive nature of the suspect and a gesture toward his waistband made him believe that the suspect might have a weapon that would be used on his family. He muscled his way into the car, pushing the suspect to the ground, away from the vehicle and pulled the Hummer away from the parking space.
He then called 911 and watched the suspect as he fled the scene, following the man who was on foot.
The suspect ran to a house in the 19000 block of Stillmore Street, where he was observed pounding on the door. When the suspect obtained entry, the homeowner allegedly used a baseball bat to defend himself from the suspect, who was found to be carrying a knife.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Detectives are waiting to question him when his condition improves.