COUNCILLOR IS HAILED A HERO
Councillor Cameron Caldwell has saved the day for a 73-year-old who fell prey to a violent bag snatcher
WE expect them to take care of roads, rates and rubbish, but one brave councillor has added ‘knight in shining armour’ to his job description.
Gold Coast City Council Division 3 Councillor Cameron Caldwell has saved the day for a 73-year-old who fell victim to a violent bag snatcher.
“He’s my hero,” Cheryl Bocquet said.
“When I saw him racing, flat out, towards me, I knew I was going to be ok.”
Mrs Bocquet, from Albury, NSW, said the attack had happened quickly while she was waiting alone at a bus stop in Bayview St, across the road from Cr Caldwell’s divisional offices in Falkinder Ave, Paradise Point.
“It was just before midday and I wanted to catch a bus to Harbour Town,” she said.
“I was checking the bus time table when I heard a car stop behind me. I looked around and saw a person getting out of it.
“I turned to look at the time table and she suddenly came at me from behind.
“I had my handbag over my left shoulder and she grabbed at it.
“She was screaming at me, ‘Give me back my bag. You have my bag’. She was very angry and very strong. Her face was contorted, she wasn’t in her right mind and I think she must have been under the influence of drugs.”
Mrs Bocquet said she was terrified, but she bravely hung on to her bag.
“I didn’t even think of letting it go. I started screaming and calling for help,” she said.
“I saw Cameron running across the road towards us. He pulled the woman off me and asked if I was all right.”
The brazen offender then casually walked away — but not before Cr Caldwell took a photo of her, which has been given to police.
Mrs Bocquet said his staff rushed to help and took her to their offices for a cup of tea.
“Cameron was such a hero,” she said. “I could have been hurt — she could have knocked me over. I had a sore chest afterwards from where she was pushing me but other than that, I’m fine.”
Mrs Bocquet said the incident had not put her off the Gold Coast.
“This is a beautiful city. I come here to visit my daughter Elise. These things happen everywhere,” she said.
The hero of the day said Mrs Bocquet was a sweet lady who was incredibly brave to stand up to such an aggressive, motivated offender.
“Like all our residents and visitors, she should have been able to enjoy a peaceful trip on the bus,” Cr Caldwell said.
The councillor is a regular runner at weekly Park Runs at Paradise Point, which no doubt helped him arrive on the scene quickly. Police are investigating the attack.
WHEN I SAW HIM RACING, FLAT OUT, TOWARDS ME, I KNEW WAS GOING TO BE OK CHERYL BOCQUET