Heroes From Texas
These young heroes don't wear capes, but they did save a woman's life a few years ago, and everyone was thankful that they got so involved in saving her. It's not exaggerated to say they're heroes.
In an interview with the media, one of them said: 'We felt like we were in an action movie!' Here's how it all started...
Check Out That Girl!
Aaron and Jamal were in the car, with Aaron driving to pick up a friend from work. When they stopped at a red light near downtown Dallas, they noticed a beautiful girl in the back seat of the car that was next to them.
Then Jamal looked a little longer and noticed a shocking detail!
She's Attractive
In an interview with NBC DFW, Aaron said how it all happened: 'Were checking out the girl in the backseat because, we're like, OK, she's kind of attractive.'
And then, the guy that was driving looked back at them. Something was a bit odd, so Jamal kept on looking. Then, he sees what the woman tried to communicate!
Something Was Wrong
Jamal explained that the woman made eye contact with him and her face was trying to tell them something.
Then, he did his best to read her lips: she was actually mouthing 'Help me!' He told his friend, but Aaron thought that Jamal was kidding around: He was like, ';she's mouthing help me!' I was like, stop playing.
Call 911 Now!
When Aaron look towards her, he realized it wasn't a game, she was really in trouble.
The two called 911 and here's the entire conversation with the operator as the young men keep on following the car with the supposed victim. They had no idea how dangerous the other driver was!
A Witness
Aaron explained to the operator that they're witnessing someone who looks to be in trouble: 'Yes, I'm on the highway, I'm witnessing a robbery. Not a robbery, a kidnapping.'
Then he explains how they were checking out the girl in the back seat and how she asked them to help her.
She Was Saying 'Help Me'
'He looked to the back seat and the blond female in the back seat was saying 'help me!' or something, whispering it,' added Aaron as he and Jamal kept following the car on Highway 175, telling the operator where they were.
Then, the driver realized a car was following him and tried to lose it.
He Knew He Was Followed
'He was driving crazy, swerving and everything' said Aaron in the interview, adding that at one point, the driver 'started turning on and off his lights, so we knew that he knew he was being followed.'
Then, Jamal explained that the police operator told them to turn on the hazard lights so that the nearest patrol car could spot them and intervene as quickly as possible.
He Could Be Dangerous
In the conversation with the 911 Operator, Arias said that the driver 'obviously knows he's being followed. So, he's either gonna hurt her or try to cut his losses, or he's going to try to hurt all of us.'
However, they did not falter and carried on with the chase until the cops pulled the suspect out of the car!
Thank God!
Aaron and Jamal couldn't contain their happiness when the cops pulled the driver out of the car. In the recording of the 911 conversation you can hear Aaron saying 'Thank God, you guys are awesome!' when the police caught up on the car.
Then, as they chase to catch and restrain the suspect, he says 'Oh my God! Oh my God, get him! Oh my God!'
Forty Miles
The chase was 40 miles long, but it ended with everyone being safe. The man that was caught is called Charles Atkins Lewis Jr.
He was charged with aggravated kidnapping. When he was arrested, the police found a knife and a handgun in the car.
Threatened With A Gun
The young woman was struck over the head and forced to get into her car in the backseat, while Atkins kept her at gunpoint.
He did not know the woman before the incident. But how did it all start? Here is some information on the victim's unfortunate experience.
Leaving A Party
It was 11 PM when the victim was leaving a young professionals networking party from downtown when a man approached her from behind and hit her three times in the head.
She believes he used the handgun for that.
Rape And Kill
Then, he forced her into her own car and threw her cell phone on the window. In the affidavit, a police officer wrote that the woman thought Lewis was planning to 'rape her and possibly kill her.'
What did she do after she was freed that night?
Free From The Car
After the rescue mission, the teens were hailed as heroes. The woman got out of the car she was being held trapped and ran to the boys to hug and thank them for saving her life.
'I can honestly say those were the best hugs I've ever gotten!' said Aaron, happy to see she was fine.
The Investigation
Aaron said in an interview that he would like to stay in contact with the woman but would do that after the investigation and the court case ends, so that he won't interfere with them.
When journalists asked Aaron if they consider themselves heroes, this is what he said...
She Said They're Her Heroes
'She says we saved her life. I guess you could say we did. But I don't want to be that person who says they're a hero,' added Aaron.
Then, Jamal explains how they actually felt in that moment, and what urged them to act so fast.
Don't Need A Cape
'You don't need a cape to be a hero,' Harris added, explaining that ';you just have to be yourself and just respond.'
Aaron said that the victim was crying and hugging them because she was beyond grateful. And who wouldn't be? But what happened to the kidnapper?
He's In Jail
Atkins has been charged with aggravated kidnapping and will remain in jail on $50,000 bond.
The man's lawyer stated that his client was innocent until proven guilty. What did people say about Aaron and Jamal's deeds?
Brave Teenagers
People that read the news of this rescue mission congratulated the boys for acting fast and calling 911: Brave teenagers, they didn't ignore a situation but acted in the proper way by calling the authorities.
Even if it hadn't been a kidnapping, better safe than sorry. Good job kids!