A woman almost became a victim of a carjacking, but the suspect was thwarted by some good Samaritans and ultimately taken into custody by the Turlock Police Department.
The suspect was identified as Jesse Thacker, 37, of Modesto. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted carjacking and a felony probation violation.
The attempted carjacking happened at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday at a gas station in the 300 block of W. Monte Vista Avenue.
The woman, who is in her 60s, was pumping gas when she was suddenly approached by Thacker, who allegedly threatened her with harm if she didn't give him the vehicle, said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Mike Parmley.
The suspect had control of the vehicle, but before he was able to drive it away, some good Samaritans who had noticed the commotion intervened and the suspect fled on foot.
Thacker ran toward Highway 99. A Turlock Police Animal Control Officer was in the area and was able to relay the suspect's whereabouts to police dispatch. Thacker was located and taken into custody without incident.
The woman was not injured during the incident, Parmley said.
Thacker remains in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail in lieu of a $190,000 bail.