Video captures Fresno Unified workers holding down suspect who stole car with two children inside

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Unified School District workers helped detain a suspect after police say he stole a car with a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old child inside.

The incident happened just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the area of Harrison and Cornell avenues. Police say the children's mother was unloading groceries when the car was taken, prompting her to run after it and scream for help.

Workers with the Fresno Unified School District's Grounds Division were working nearby when a neighbor flagged them down and alerted them about the incident. Cellphone video captured the moment the workers held down the suspect.

"Just the adrenaline pumping was enough to make you steady," said Gerald Garcia of the Fresno Unified School District's Grounds Division.

Garcia said he, Isaias Diaz and Roberto Mejia saw the stolen car driving slowly, with the back hatch up, as it headed toward Shields Avenue.

Garcia said they continued to watch the vehicle until a neighbor told them what had happened. That's when they quickly turned around.

Another individual was able to stop the car at Harrison Avenue, just north of Shields. That's when they pulled in behind the vehicle.

"We saw that another individual was able to stop him and we were able to get through the intersection, and we immediately parked right behind him. The gal that was there first, she was pounding on the door viciously trying to get him out," Garcia said.

Garcia said the suspect then got out of the car and tried to run away.

"He did almost get a head start and she was able to grab his sweater, by this time he jumped out of the truck and I jumped out of the truck and about 20 yards away, kind of met on top of him," Garcia said.

Video shows Garcia and Diaz holding the suspect down as helicopters could be heard overhead. Police have since identified the suspect as Nathaniel Benavidez.

Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her commended the workers for their actions.

"What they saw is that they saw kids and they were like, we're going to do what we need to do to help protect kids," Her said.

Garcia said the men acted without hesitation.

"We knew we had to do something so it was like, just take care of business. Let's get it done," he said.

"We're not heroes. We try to do the best we can for the children," Diaz said.

At last check, Benavidez remained in custody and was facing multiple charges, including kidnapping and child endangerment.

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