Recognizing and Honoring John Sabalauskas for his Extraordinary Courage and Heroism in Rescuing a Young Woman from a Dangerous Robbery Attempt.

WHEREAS, During the afternoon of Thursday, March 21st, a young woman, a Drexel University student who works two jobs, was attacked by a man near the intersection of 21st and Chestnut Streets in Center City. He threw her on the ground and tried to rip her backpack away from her; and

WHEREAS, As the man wrestled with her to remove her backpack, the student feared that she was going to die. While there were passersby on the sidewalk, none of them intervened to help her despite her cries for help; and

WHEREAS, As the attack occurred, John Sabalauskas, a tow truck driver with CCC Towing, was driving down Market Street and was about to cross 21st Street when he heard the faint sound of the victim’s screams over the sounds of his radio. He looked over, saw the woman being attacked, and immediately launched into action; and

WHEREAS, Sabalauskas said that the look on the victim’s face was all he needed to rush to her aid. He quickly pulled over, parked his tow truck, and ran towards the assailant; and

WHEREAS, As Sabalauskas shouted at the attacker, the man grabbed a laptop out of the victim’s backpack and started running down the sidewalk away from Sabalauskas. Sabalauskas kept up the chase, shouting at another pedestrian to stop the thief; and

WHEREAS, The pedestrian grabbed the thief by the shoulder, and both men fell to the ground. Sabalauskas caught up to the thief and pinned him to the ground with the other man until the police arrived to take the thief into custody; and

WHEREAS, After the incident, CBS Eyewitness News arranged a meeting between the victim and Sabalauskas. The victim embraced Sabalauskas, saying, “I owe you my life.” The two hope to stay in contact; and

WHEREAS, This heroic and selfless act by John Sabalauskas, in which he entered a harrowing situation for the sake of a stranger, epitomizes the Brotherly Love of which Philadelphia takes pride. For his exemplary conduct in preventing a crime and possibly saving a life in the process, John Sabalauskas deserves the City’s admiration and gratitude; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors John Sabalauskas for his extraordinary courage and heroism in rescuing a young woman from a dangerous robbery attempt.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to John Sabalauskas as evidence of the gratitude of this legislative body

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