A 21-year-old woman, wrapped only in a towel and wielding a baseball bat, confronted a car thief attempting to steal her family's van in Broadstone, Poole, Dorset, on 1/9.
Nicki Vine's dramatic pursuit was captured on security camera footage, which later went viral on social media. The incident, occurring around 11:15 p.m., saw Vine spring into action to protect her family's livelihood after spotting the intruder on her security feed.
Vine, a plasterer who works with her father, was sitting on her sofa after a shower when she noticed a flashlight near a neighbor's house. Checking her security camera, she observed two young men on a motorbike without license plates slowly driving through the residential area. The motorbike passed by, then returned minutes later.
One individual, wearing a helmet, dismounted and walked towards her father's van, which was parked in front of their home, attempting to open its door. The van contained essential tools for their plastering business, and the family had been victims of previous thefts, prompting Vine's immediate decision to intervene.
Without hesitation, Vine grabbed a baseball bat from near the front door, held her towel with one hand, and rushed outside. The security camera footage shows her running through the gate, startling the thief, who immediately fled. She chased him, throwing the bat, but missed her target.
Moments later, Vine heard the motorbike start at the end of the street as the thief's accomplice returned to pick him up. She ran into the middle of the road, confronting the vehicle. As the driver accelerated towards her, Vine had to dodge to the side but managed to swing the bat at the motorbike before both individuals escaped.
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Nicki Vine and her family's van. Photo: BNPS |
Vine stated her family had been targeted by thieves multiple times, making her determined not to stand by this time. She emphasized that the van was not merely transportation but was directly linked to her and her father's work and income.
She reported the incident to the police online that same night, submitting the security camera evidence. However, she has not yet received a response regarding the case's handling.
The widely shared camera footage, depicting the young woman in a towel chasing the thief, garnered significant attention online. For Vine, her action was a simple act driven by the desire to protect her family's business.
Tue Anh (according to Metro, The Sun, LBC)
