Suspect arrested after attacking good Samaritan on San Carlos Caltrain platform
SAN CARLOS, Calif. (KGO) -- A man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a "good Samaritan" last month at the San Carlos Caltrain station, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office announced Friday.
On Dec. 23, Frank Pagmanua was allegedly attacked by the suspect after seeing him allegedly harass a woman. Pagmanua was described as a good Samaritan for stepping in to help the woman from the suspect.
The suspect then fled the area after the assault. The victim suffered "significant facial injuries" and was taken to a hospital, the Sheriff's Office said.
An investigation led to the arrest of a 33-year-old man in South San Francisco. He was booked on Thursday into the Maguire Correctional Facility on suspicion of inflicting serious bodily injury and assault.
Video captured the attack that sent Pagmanua to the hospital with a bloody nose, cuts, welts, and minor fractures near his eyes and nose.
MORE: Beloved San Jose bakery releases video of unnamed assailant's attack on employees and customer
Pagmanua said while he was waiting for his train, a woman came up to him saying that a man was trying to hit her. Concerned for her safety, Pagmanua intervened, but the man got in his face and then got physical.
"In that moment, it just felt like everything went slow motion," Pagmanua said.
He said he just wanted to get the man away from the scared woman, who was recording this video.
"In that moment, I was worried about the lady. I wanted to make sure that she was ok she did create distance for herself," Pagmanua said.
Eventually, the man stopped hitting Pagmanua, and he managed to call 911. He then felt his injuries.
"Next thing you know, I feel my face get really warm and then I just feel like blood is dripping down my face," Pagmanua said.
Pagmanua takes Caltrain and BART nearly every day. He hopes that by sharing what happened to him, others will be aware of their surroundings and prepared.
"If I were to tell people just be careful, maybe travel in numbers, and you know, always maybe carry pepper spray, just something to protect yourself during these moments," Pagmanua said.
The Sheriff's Office believes the attack was an isolated case.
Bay City News contributed to this story.
