GLENDALE : Bystander Drives Off in Suspects’ Vehicle

A heroic bystander got into the getaway car of three armed men and drove it away as the men were busy robbing a supermarket Thursday morning, Glendale police said.

The three suspects, who went into the Smart & Final market at 210 N. Verdugo Road about 11:45 a.m., took off running when they saw that the vehicle was gone, but still managed to escape in a backup car driven by a fourth suspect, according to a police report.

The bystander--whose name, age and gender were withheld by police--saw the three pull up in front of the market, get out of the car and don ski masks while entering the building and decided to take action. The bystander drove the car away and called police from a public phone, police spokesman Rod Brooks said.

“This citizen took a major chance. We don’t advise people to get involved in crimes in progress as this person did. It’s very dangerous. Thankfully, this individual was not harmed,” Brooks said.

Police recovered the suspects’ car, but Brooks would not comment on whether the owner of the vehicle had been identified or whether the car may have been stolen.