A mother in California has become an internet sensation after confronting a thief who stole her young daughter's piggy bank in a brazen daylight robbery.
Kiara Ortiz, a resident of Westminster, California, captured the shocking incident on her home security camera. The footage shows a woman casually walking up to the family's porch before snatching the child's savings.
The dramatic confrontation unfolded when Ortiz spotted the thief and immediately sprang into action. "I saw red," the furious mother later told reporters. "That money represented my daughter's hard work and dreams."
In a scene straight out of an action movie, Ortiz chased down the suspect and physically restrained her until police arrived. The entire incident was captured by neighbors' cameras, showing the thief's stunned expression as her quick getaway turned into instant karma.
Local authorities confirmed that the suspect, whose identity hasn't been released, now faces theft charges. Meanwhile, the Ortiz family has become something of a local legend, with neighbors praising the mother's quick thinking.
"This serves as a reminder to all would-be thieves," said Westminster Police Sergeant David Martinez. "Our community members aren't going to tolerate this kind of behavior."
The recovered piggy bank, though damaged, has been returned to Ortiz's grateful daughter. The family has since started a new savings tradition - this time with a much more secure location.
