Leeds woman jumped into car as it was stolen and wrestled robber in incident 'like James Bond' in Rothwell
A Leeds business owner has spoke of how she bravely jumped into the backseat of her car as it was being driven off by a thief; comparing her exploits to James Bond.
Heather Riley, 35, had just opened the doors at RN Aesthetics and Skin Rejuvenation on Commercial Street in Rothwell last Tuesday (May 28) when a man ran through the front door and stole her handbag from the front desk.
As he tried driving off in her car she jumped in the back seat, resulting in a five minute drive around the area that ended when the man parked up and ran off.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed in a statement that they are investigating the incident as a robbery.
Ms Riley has since complained about the lack of police presence in the area, while West Yorkshire Police have issued an appeal for witnesses.
Ms Riley arrived at the aesthetics clinic, which she and her business partner opened three weeks ago, at midday last Tuesday before throwing her bag on the desk and making her way to the back.
She said: “I heard the door go and said ‘I’m sorry we’re not open yet’. There was no reply.
“When I heard the door go again I went down and looked at the reception and noticed they had cleared it of everything including the cash tin and my bag, which had my phone, purse and car keys in it.”
She said she left the building and noticed the robber making off with her bright orange bag towards the car park where her Mini Cooper was. As she got there she saw the car reversing, adding: “I was the victim of a crime 11 months ago and I didn’t respond so this time I thought ‘oh my gosh, I can’t believe this is happening again’.
“I impulsively ran to the car and got on the bonnet and told him to stop. He carried on reversing so I got off and into the backseat to try and tackle him out.
“He set off driving and told me to get out or he would kill me.”
She added: “I considered getting out but I have a three-year-old and have child locks so I didn’t have a choice.
“I immediately regretted my decision of getting in.”
Ms Riley said that her and the bandit drove for around five minutes as she scratched him and “tried to tackle him out of the car and get him to stop”. She said he drove through a Morrisons car park only narrowly missing pedestrians.
She then called the police on her work phone that was in her coat pocket, adding: “He was driving erratically and really fast and then he heard me on loud speaker and slowed down to 20mph and jumped out while it was still moving. I’ve then brought the car to a stop while he’s scarpered down a ginnel and ran off.
“It was like something from a James Bond movie.”
The man had taken the car keys so Ms Riley said she had to wait with the car for 90 minutes until police arrived.
Reflecting on the incident, Ms Riley said: “Some people have said ‘you were an absolute idiot’ but then when they understand why I did it they think I’m really brave.
“My husband thought I was insane but then when I was doing the police report he was holding my hand and thinking ‘actually you’re amazing’.
“It’s left me severely shaken and a bit bruised but it’s not often the victim of a crime comes out the winner.”
Ms Riley said that she and other business owners in the area had been raising their concerns about the lack of police presence and that they planned on appealing to the force. She said that they agreed the issues were down to a lack of funding.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police in Rothwell are investigating following a robbery from a business on Commercial Street last week.
“A man stole a bag containing a set of car keys and attempted to take the car when he was stopped by the owner.
“The incident occurred on Tuesday 28 May, at around 12:10pm. Enquiries are ongoing.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District Crime Team via 101 or on the LiveChat facility on the website quoting reference 13240286109.”