In a dramatic real-life scene that could have been lifted straight from a Law & Order script, actor George Pogatsia became an actual hero when he intervened to stop a violent abduction attempt in Manhattan.
The terrifying incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon near West 55th Street and 8th Avenue, where Pogatsia witnessed a 23-year-old woman being forcibly dragged by a male assailant. Rather than being a passive bystander, the actor immediately sprang into action.
"I heard her screaming 'Help me, help me, I don't know him!' and I just reacted," Pogatsia told authorities. "There was no time to think - I just knew I had to do something."
Security camera footage obtained by DailyMail.com shows the harrowing moment when 40-year-old suspect Deowraj K. Dharamraj allegedly grabbed the woman and began pulling her down the street as she desperately resisted.
Dramatic Footage Captures Rescue
The video evidence reveals Pogatsia rushing toward the struggle and physically confronting the alleged kidnapper. His intervention allowed the terrified victim to break free and escape to safety.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect had previously been arrested for similar offenses, including an incident just two days prior where he was charged with forcible touching.
Pogatsia, who has appeared in multiple Law & Order franchise episodes including "Law & Order: SVU" and "Law & Order: Organized Crime," found himself living out the type of scenario he typically only portrays on screen.
From Screen Hero to Real-Life Saviour
"This is exactly the kind of civic duty we hope all citizens would embrace," said one NYPD official familiar with the case. "Mr. Pogatsia's quick thinking potentially saved this young woman from a very dangerous situation."
The suspect now faces serious charges including attempted kidnapping, attempted unlawful imprisonment, and harassment. He was taken into custody at the scene following Pogatsia's intervention.
The victim, while shaken by the ordeal, escaped physical injury thanks to the actor's timely actions. Mental health resources have been offered to help her recover from the traumatic experience.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder that heroism isn't confined to television screens, and sometimes the line between acting and real-life courage becomes beautifully blurred.
