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Gas attendant spots injured woman escape car & run to her mouthing ‘Help’ then sees attacker behind her
It started out as an ordinary day for gas station clerk Rachel Craddock until an injured woman with extension cords hanging from her ankles and wrists came running towards her begging for help.
Catherine Marucci
05.19.21

A Florida gas station clerk named Rachel Craddock was going about her day ringing up customers at the cash register when she noticed something odd going on by one of the pumps. An injured woman with extension cords hanging from her ankles and wrists was running from one of the cars parked there.

Just as the gas station employee was witnessing this very unexpected and concerning sight, a man waiting in the convenience store noticed as well. He went running back out to the car to try and stop his victim from escaping.

It was then that the clerk got over her surprise and jumped into action to save that victim.

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Fox 13 News via YouTube
Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

Only a moment to react

The kidnapping victim ran up to the clerk’s private door and starting banging on it and begging for help. She said that the man was going to murder her if she couldn’t get away.

Rachel quickly unlocked the door, pulled the woman inside, and then locked the door again. She made sure that there was no way for the kidnapper to get back inside the store and that all the doors were locked.


door
Fox 13 News via YouTube
Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

Calling for help

Once the victim was safely inside, and Rachel really had a chance to look at her, it was even more apparent that she needed help. Her hair was matted with blood and she had a gash on her head.


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Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

Rachel called 911 as the kidnapper fled away in his vehicle, realizing that his victim had gotten away. An ambulance arrived and brought the grateful survivor to the hospital for treatment. She is expected to make a full recovery, at least physically.

It won’t be easy to get over the trauma, but knowing that there are people, like Rachel, there to help when you really need them may help with her emotional recovery. It’s good to know that there are still heroes out there.


store
Fox 13 News via YouTube
Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

How it began

It all began several towns away from the gas station. Cody Jackson got in a fight with the woman who would become his victim. He hit her in the head with a heavy piece of wood and then forced her into his car. While in the car, he bound her wrists and ankles with extension cords to make it more difficult for her to get away.


pump
Fox 13 News via YouTube
Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

Then, he stopped at the Citgo convenience store. While he was inside, the woman was able to loosen the electrical cords and get herself out of his vehicle. That was when both Rachel and Cody saw her running to the building.


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Fox 13 News via YouTube
Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

The hunt continues

While his victim is safe now, police are still searching for Cody to make certain things stay that way. Based on his violent behavior and previous criminal history, they are considering him dangerous and possibly armed. People in the area have been told to avoid him and to call the police if they see him.

wanted
HCSOSheriff via Twitter
Source:
HCSOSheriff via Twitter

Looking back on it all

Rachel will never forget that shift at the gas station. She’s just happy that she could do something to help the kidnapping victim. It wasn’t an ordinary day, but then Rachel isn’t an ordinary gas station clerk. She’s a hero in disguise.


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Fox 13 News via YouTube
Source:
Fox 13 News via YouTube

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