MANKATO (TEC News) -- The scene Monday night in Mankato was right out of a reality TV show.Mankato police say repoman Nate Zimmerman of Janesville was attempting to seize a 2005 Cadillac STS when he was confronted by the car’s owner.
45-year-old John Fitzgerald Thomas allegedly drove the car off the tow truck during the repossession near the intersection of North Fourth Street and Elm.
With the driver’s side window down, Zimmerman jumped on the car, sat on the door and hung on to the roof as Thomas sped away at speeds up to 40 mph.
After a couple blocks, the car stopped and Zimmerman got off the car with just a few abrasions.
Thomas was stopped after a couple blocks and was arrested. He’s facing a felony charge of 2nd Degree Assault, along with lesser charges of Reckless Driving and Driving After Suspension.
Mankato police commander Jeremy Clifton says repossession companies will often call them in advance to let them know they are working in town.
“Maybe one every other month,” says Clifton.
But as far as a car owner confronting a repo man?
“Very rarely do we ever see anything like this,” says Clifton.
LISTEN TO THE REPO RECAP
Mankato Police Talk About Repo Altercation -- Cmmdr. Jeremy Clifton by threeeaglesradionews
LISTEN TO THE REPO RECAP
Mankato Police Talk About Repo Altercation -- Cmmdr. Jeremy Clifton by threeeaglesradionews