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A quick-thinking Chick-fil-A employee in Florida intervened when a man allegedly tried to seize a mother’s car while she had an infant in her arms. The confrontation ended with the worker subduing the suspect until deputies arrived, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has since filed criminal charges.
Video captured by a bystander shows the moment the employee tackled the suspect and held him down; authorities say the suspect then was taken into custody without further incident.
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What happened
According to the sheriff’s office, a woman was unloading her baby from a vehicle outside a Chick-fil-A when a 43-year-old man approached holding what appeared to be a stick and demanded the car keys. Police say the man grabbed the keys from the woman’s waistband, opened the car and climbed inside.
The woman screamed, and a restaurant employee rushed over to help. The suspect allegedly struck the woman before the worker tackled him to the ground. Deputies arrived shortly afterward and arrested the suspect, who faces felony counts related to the incident.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | 43-year-old William Branch |
| Charges | Carjacking with a weapon and battery |
| Location | Outside a Chick-fil-A in Okaloosa County, Florida |
| Victim | Woman with an infant; reported not seriously injured |
| Response | Employee intervened and detained suspect until police arrived |
Officials and witnesses
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and praised the employee for stepping in. Investigators said the worker sustained only minor injuries during the scuffle.
Witness footage circulated on social media shows the moment the employee lunges at the suspect and pins him to the pavement. That video has been shared widely in local online communities, where commenters expressed gratitude and admiration for the worker’s actions.
- Deputies booked the suspect on charges including carjacking and battery.
- The responding employee was not seriously hurt, according to police.
- Community members used social channels to commend the intervention and express concern for the victim and infant.
Details about the suspect’s motive and any prior criminal history were not immediately released. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active and urged anyone with additional information or footage to contact investigators.
Local law enforcement emphasized the potential risk of such confrontations but credited the employee’s prompt action with preventing further harm. As the case proceeds through the criminal system, prosecutors will decide how to move forward based on the investigation and available evidence.
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