Actor George Pogatsia is no stranger to playing villains and has appeared in award-winning TV shows such as The sopranos And Law and order. But earlier this month he played the role of a hero after saving a woman from a possible kidnapping.
Pogatsia called 911 on Nov. 1 about an attempted kidnapping near his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, according to reports from NBC New York And TMZ.
The actor recalled seeing a 19-year-old girl, who appeared drunk, with her cousin and a strange man, NBC New York reports. “This guy just insisted on getting this girl with him,” he told the newspaper.
When he called police, Pogatsia described the man’s location and said he was wearing all black clothing, according to 911 audio obtained by TMZ.
As Pogatsia spoke to the dispatcher, he can be heard shouting, “Where are you going, motherf*****? Where are you going?”
Pogatsia also told the dispatcher that the man lifted the girl onto his shoulder and tried to run away with her.
“Then I demanded that the man put the girl to sleep, demanded that he put her to sleep,” Pogatsia told NBC New York.
“He dropped her like a sack of potatoes… and then ran back [down the street] and I chased him,” he added.
Pogatsia’s wife, Yolanda, was the first to notice something was wrong and told the actor to follow him. “He told her… ‘Don’t let them call the police because they will detain you.’ He actually threatened that ICE would come and deport her,” she told NBC New York.
The man eventually managed to escape, NBC New York reports. But thanks to Pogatsia, the police arrived and the young woman was safe.
President Donald Trump sent Pogatsia a letter of appreciation on November 10, thanking him for his heroic efforts, according to NBC New York. The independent has contacted the White House for comment.
“Thanks to your quick thinking and uncommon courage, an innocent girl was saved from a potential tragedy,” the letter reads. “You certainly channeled your previous experiences Law and Order to be prepared for this moment, and we are very grateful.”
Pogatsia once guest-starred The sopranos in 2007, and twice since Law and order between 2004 and 2008, according to him IMDB page. Pogastia also wrote and directed Family on board (2014). The short film starred actor Tony Sirico, who played Paulie Gualtieri The sopranos.
The independent has contacted Pogatsia and the Jersey City Police Department for comment.
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