Video Shows Men Tailgate And Attack Strangers
GASTONIA, NC — Two men are tailgating drivers in Gastonia and attacking them, police say.
It happened to two teenagers in a span of 20 minutes Sunday morning.
Surveillance video shows stragners follow a 19-year-old driver home and beat him before damaging his car.
Police say that was the first attack that morning just after 2:00. The teenager was driving home from work. He says a black jeep with black tires passed him near Union Terrace. The Jeep whipped around, started tailgating him.
He pulled into his home, got out and so did two men in the Jeep. Video shows them assault him in the yard. He escaped and goes inside.
The men then bend his car door forward so much, it won’t close.
20 minutes later, police say they attacked 17-year-old Mason Santinelli.
“I screamed, and I said, “Please stop. I haven’t done anything. I’m only 17.’,” said Santinelli.
He says he passed the jeep, it whipped around and started tailgating him. He stopped at Little Mountain Road and Robinson Road.
“I rolled my window down and asked if I could help them with anything,” said Santinelli.
He says the passenger got out, punched his eye, tried to pull him out of his truck while another dented the door and broke a hubcap.
“I don’t know what would they would have done to me if they would have got me out. Luckily, I thought to hit the gas. So, I got away from them,” said Santinelli.
To protect yourself, Capt. Curtis Rosselle with Gaston County Police says never stop if you suspect someone is following you. He says call 911.
“Call while you’re driving, give your location and just keep driving normal,” said Capt. Rosselle.
He says never lead them to your house.
Police say these guys could end up attacking the wrong driver.
“In 2019 there are a whole lot of people in Gaston County and North Carolina who have concealed carry permits,” said Capt. Rosselle.
Officers say they hope to do the following next time.
The owner of a local body shop, Pack Brothers, says he plans to fix the 19-year-old’s car door so he can drive to work.
If you know who the attackers are, call Gaston County Police.
Gaston County Crimestoppers: 704-861-8000
