A gas station clerk from Jacksonville, Florida is being hailed as a hero after he saved the life of a woman who was kidnapped.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s office said that the employee was working at the Kangaroo Express gas station when he saw a woman in a car who appeared to be distressed. When the woman clearly mouthed the word “HELP” to him, the employee immediately took action by calling 911.

Police rushed to the scene, found the vehicle and arrested the male suspect. The man had pulled up alongside the woman and asked if she wanted a ride. Thinking she recognized the man, the woman got into the car, but she realized she had made a huge mistake when the suspect began driving the wrong way. She had tried to flee the vehicle at the gas station, but the suspect wouldn’t let her go, so mouthing “help” to the employee was the only shot at freedom she had before being taken away by her kidnapper.

The suspect has been identified as Jose Ramos Sandoval, who has been charged with false imprisonment, fleeing police, and violation of probation.

The Jacksonville Sherriff’s office released the following statement on their Facebook page:

“On Sunday, February 11, 2018, at 1:13 a.m. a Kangaroo Express employee observed a woman sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot mouthing ‘help’ at 13697 Beach Boulevard. The employee called 911 and gave police an accurate vehicle description and what he observed. The information was broadcasted to all officers in the area. An alert officer observed the vehicle on Atlantic Boulevard. Police attempted to stop the vehicle and the suspect proceeded to flee from police recklessly. The pursuit ended at Leon Road and Byrnes Road and the suspect was taken into custody.”

“The female victim was in the vehicle and told police she was walking from one local beach pub to another when the defendant pulled up to her and asked if she needed a lift somewhere. The victim stated that she thought the man was a known acquaintance to another friend of hers and thought it was safe enough to get a ride, however they were unknown to each other. The victim agreed and got into the vehicle. Once inside, they started traveling in a direction away from her destination. They left the beaches area and pulled into the Kangaroo at Hodges Boulevard and Beach Boulevard. When the victim attempted to exit the vehicle for reasons of safety, she said the suspect reached over and grabbed her hair to keep her confined inside the vehicle. He refused to let her leave. The victim was fearful for her safety, realizing that he was attempting to keep her confined to the vehicle. She felt as if mouthing ‘help’ to the Kangaroo employee was her only chance of escape. During the interview of the suspect, he admitted to the incident. The suspect, Jose Ramos Sandoval was arrested for False Imprisonment, Fleeing Police, and Violation of Probation.”

“A big thank you to the alert employee at this gas station,” the Jacksonville police concluded. “Getting involved makes a difference, we can’t thank you enough.”

This employee really is a true hero for helping to save this woman’s life!

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