Aug 29, 2009 6:14 am US/Eastern
Good Samaritan Saves NYC Teen From Predator
Staten Island Girl Pulled Into Woods In Attempted Abduction; Neighbor Heard Screams, Saved Victim
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
He's an everyday hero who doesn't want the title.
A Staten Island man came to the rescue of a teenaged girl, just as she was being abducted. But this Good Samaritan says he would have done the same for anybody in need.
"I'm not a hero, I did what I had to do," Patrick Klatt said. "The girl needed help and I was there. I was lucky I heard her."
Klatt heard the muffled cries of a 15-year-old girl. She was walking along Cleveland Avenue Thursday night when she was dragged into the nearby woods.
"She was actually headed to a friend's house," father Jay Reyes said. "She heard him running behind her. As she turned, he was already at her."
Klatt was inside his home when he heard the girl try to scream.
"I just looked out the screen door, and I could see her being pushed through the weeds," Klatt said. "I knew right away, by the sound of her voice, she was in trouble."
Klatt ran into the woods with a bat and pulled the girl to safety, much to the relief of the victim's parents.
"He saved her life," mother Caroline Foster-Reyes said. "He saved her life. We owe everything to him."
"This guys is, as far as I'm concerned, he's a hero," Jay Reyes said.
Klatt can relate – he has a 19-year-old daughter himself – and he says he doesn't let her go anywhere alone. Daughter Dianna says her father is an inspiration.
"Hopefully this does bring light to other people, that maybe they'll help others if they see something going on," Dianna said.
The victim's parents say they want the suspect behind bars, and they're organizing the neighborhood to post fliers.
"This guy is out there," Jay Reyes said. "He needs to be found. He needs to be found in the worst way."
As for Klatt, he says he's just happy he was there.
"It worked out good," he said. "I'm glad she's alright."
The victim gave police a description of the suspect. They are hoping to release a sketch of the man soon.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Not All Docs Agree With Pap Smear Recommendations 9 mins ago 
NYC Judge Allows New 'Green' Taxi Lease Rates 23 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments