California Mom Rams Burglars’ Getaway Car

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

A California mother’s instinct to protect her family turned into dramatic surveillance video when she rammed her SUV into what turned out to be suspected burglars’ getaway car, after learning her children were inside the home being targeted.

NBC4 Los Angeles aired footage showing the moment the woman’s Mercedes-Benz hit the parked sedan as the burglars fled, sparking widespread attention on the risks Americans face when seconds count and help is minutes away.

“I was in panic. I was in shock.”

According to the report, the woman had stepped out to get coffee while her three young children and their grandmother were at the house in Sherman Oaks. Moments later, she received a panicked call from her mother, who was inside the home.

“I see the guys and I was in panic. I was in shock, you know?” the woman told the news crew about her reaction as she rushed back and hit the SUV parked outside.

Surveillance video shows the SUV plow into the sedan just as multiple suspects ran from the area. Police later found items in the damaged vehicle consistent with attempted burglary. Including a wallet, a crowbar, and a walkie-talkie, though at least at last reports, no arrests had been announced.

If she had a better option…

What wasn’t captured on camera — and what the NBC report notably glossed over — is the reason this mother’s only defensive tool was her vehicle.

In a moment of terror, she resorted to ramming a car because she had no immediate lawful way to stop a threat to her children. There was no mention in the report of any firearm, pepper spray, or other defensive tool.

SEE ALSO: Free SBRs Are Coming! A Horrible Idea

Let’s call it what it was: the only tool available to a law-abiding parent in a crisis.

And her reaction, driving into a potential threat, isn’t irrational. When a loved one is in danger, instinct drives action. But wouldn’t we prefer that action be effective?

Seconds matter. Police are minutes away.

This incident underscores a reality too many families know:

• Criminals decide when they strike.
• Police respond after the fact.
• Parents are left with whatever tools they have at hand.

In this case, that tool was a luxury SUV.

Would the outcome have been different if this mother wasn’t defenseless under California’s restrictive self-defense environment? Would the burglars have paused if faced with an armed, prepared homeowner instead of a terrified parent barreling down the street?

These may be uncomfortable questions to some. But they’re grounded in the facts of this event, not in spin. The NBC report didn’t make them for her, but her actions did.

Because in that split second, she didn’t choose panic. She chose to act.

And her parting message to those burglars? “Next time,” she said, “I’m going to kill them.

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Larry Z

is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.

Experience:

– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.