Firefighter Trained In Martial Arts Stops Would-Be Carjacker: PD

TAKOMA PARK, MD — A patient should never get into a fight with a firefighter — especially if that firefighter has a background in mixed martial arts. One D.C. man, however, had to learn that the hard way.

It all started on July 28 at about 6:30 a.m. Montgomery County firefighter Diego Peclat was standing by an ambulance outside Washington Adventist Hospital when a man — identified as 27-year-old Christopher Broadus — tried to carjack the vehicle, according to authorities.

Takoma Park Police say Broadus, who was recently discharged from the hospital, was being escorted off the premises by security at the time. He had just assaulted a nurse.

Once outside, the would-be carjacker jumped into the ambulance and tried to drive away.

"The guy went on and opened the car door, and I was like, 'Man, here we go,'" Peclat told WTOP.

Police say Peclat quickly sprung into action, but was assaulted by Broadus. The firefighter, WTOP reports, came back swinging — punching the man twice before slipping on a folder of papers on the ground.

Broadus then whipped out a knife and started to chase the firefighter, according to Takoma Park Police.

With the help of Washington Adventist Hospital security, Peclat was able to bring Broadus under control.

Broadus was subsequently arrested and taken to the Central Processing Unit in Rockville. Court records show he was charged with first-degree assault, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and a handful of other offenses.