Laverton, Melbourne: Hero grandmother who punched carjacker in the head as he allegedly tried to steal Range Rover 4WD with baby inside breaks silence

A brave grandmother who punched an accused car thief in the head after he allegedly tried to steal a car with her grandchild still in it has spoken for the first time about the harrowing ordeal.

Soumaya Zakari, 63, was riding in a luxury Range Rover 4WD with her six-month-old granddaughter when a man allegedly tried to steal the car after her daughter-in-law entered a post office in Laverton in Melbourne’s south-west. last week.

What the brazen opportunist didn’t know was that there was no way the no-nonsense grandma would allow anyone to steal her daughter-in-law’s car or, more importantly, her granddaughter’s.

She shouted repeatedly, “What are you doing here?” at the would-be car thief and then punched him.

“I shouted, but he still wanted to steal the car, so I hit him,” Ms Zakari said. Nine news.

“I’m scared, but not a chicken.”

Ms Zakari also revealed that it was the first time she had ever punched anyone.

Her daughter-in-law Tamara Afaneh said her daughter had just fallen asleep when the alleged incident unfolded.

Daughter-in-law Tamara Afaneh (pictured left) said her daughter had just fallen asleep when the alleged attempted carjacking took place

She was very grateful that her mother-in-law was able to defeat the man.

‘(It’s) very sick. It’s just happening in my head. Imagine if he had taken the car. What if he had hurt her, what if he had killed her?’ said Mrs. Afaneh.

Ms Zakari said she will never lose her granddaughter, who is named after her, from her sight.

“I love her so much,” said the proud grandmother of 11.

The would-be thief was later arrested by police and charged with participating in a wild crime spree in the area.

The driver of the getaway car, which was reportedly stolen, was captured on CCTV rapping to rap music as he drove away.

Australian postal worker Leanne called the quick-thinking grandmother a ‘hero’.

“How lucky Grandma was there,” Leanne said Nine news.

‘Good for her.

“She thought quickly and did what she had to do to protect her grandchild.

“They just don’t care, they think they can do whatever they want and get away with it.”

Police claimed three men were responsible for a number of armed robberies and aggravated burglaries in the area within three days last week.

A blue Ford Falcon was allegedly stolen from Point Cook a week ago, on June 19, while the victims were at home.

An alleged car thief (pictured) met his match when he allegedly tried to steal a 4WD with a baby in the backseat

The would-be thief (photo) was punched in the face by the protective grandmother

Three men, dressed in high-visibility jackets, are also said to have stormed another house, stealing jewellery, laptops and bank cards that were later used at a petrol station.

Three men aged 22, 22 and 21 were later arrested in Broadmeadows, 17 miles north-east of Laverton.

They were each charged with a series of serious crimes, including home invasion, assault and making death threats.

The men were taken into custody to appear in court at a later date.