Debris left on traffic island after car crashed into Oak Lawn monument. Photo courtesy Michael Milliken, Oak Lawn Committee
A Melrose Hotel valet caught Jack Slaamot, 26, as he tried to escape after crashing a car into the Legacy of Love monument seconds after he stole the car on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Slaamot approached Jerry Norvell in the Walgreens parking lot at the corner of Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road. When Norvell refused to give Slaamot any money, he stole the car, crashed it into another car and then into the median where the Oak Lawn monument stands.
Perry Wargnier, a valet at the Melrose Hotel, heard a car speed off and then heard the crash. Thinking someone might be hurt, he ran toward the monument. Instead, he saw someone get out of the car and begin to run.
Wargnier chased Slaamot grabbed him and pinned him down for about 10 minutes until police came.
Wargnier is studying to be a police officer.
