Last weekend turned into a nightmare for a local restaurant owner in University Place. What started as a normal Saturday morning quickly became a shocking and dangerous incident.
Amanjit Randhawa, the owner of India Mahal, was targeted in an attempted carjacking right outside his own restaurant. Thankfully, he survived the frightening attack with minor injuries, but the damage left behind is heavy — both emotionally and financially.
Attempted Carjacking Outside India Mahal
On Saturday, Amanjit Randhawa stepped outside his restaurant, India Mahal, to warm up his car. Within seconds, the situation changed completely. He noticed a suspicious figure running directly towards his vehicle.
According to Randhawa, the man suddenly jumped into his car and tried to drive away. Before he could fully understand what was happening, the suspect pressed hard on the accelerator. The car crashed straight into the building.
Randhawa described the moment as shocking and unreal. He saw the incident unfold right in front of him and immediately ran towards the car to stop the thief.
A Brave Fight to Stop the Suspect
After the crash, the suspect attempted to reverse the car and escape. During this struggle, Randhawa was dragged along with the vehicle. Despite the danger, he did not back down.
He quickly opened the car door and began wrestling with the suspect inside the vehicle. It was a risky move, but he was determined not to let the man get away.
Thankfully, people nearby saw what was happening. Bystanders rushed to help and managed to pull the suspect out of the car. They held him down until deputies arrived at the scene.
Because of their quick action, the suspect was stopped before causing even more harm.
Injuries and Heavy Damage
Randhawa was lucky to escape with only cuts and bruises. Considering how serious the situation was, it could have ended much worse.
However, the financial damage is significant. The car and the restaurant storefront were badly affected by the crash. The front of the business is now boarded up, but the restaurant is still open and serving customers.
Below is a quick overview of the impact:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Injuries | Minor cuts and bruises |
| Car Damage | Major front-end damage |
| Storefront Damage | Structural damage, boarded up |
| Estimated Loss | Tens of thousands of dollars |
The repair costs are expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars. For a small business owner, this kind of unexpected expense is extremely stressful.
Community Support During Tough Times
The incident has deeply affected not only Randhawa but also the local community. He has been running India Mahal for many years and is well known in University Place.
Longtime customer Ed Tuck shared that Randhawa and his family are going through a very difficult time. To make matters worse, Randhawa’s father is currently battling stage 4 colon cancer. The family is already facing emotional and financial pressure.
To help with the repair costs, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for the restaurant. Many community members are coming forward to support him during this challenging period.
This shows how strong community bonds can make a difference when someone is in trouble.
Small Businesses and Rising Crime Concerns
Incidents like this raise serious concerns about safety for small business owners. Many local entrepreneurs already face financial pressure due to rising costs and competition. When unexpected crimes like carjackings happen, it becomes even harder to stay afloat.
Small businesses are often family-run. They are not just shops or restaurants — they represent years of hard work, sacrifice, and dreams. An incident like this can affect not just one person, but an entire family.
In this case, quick action by bystanders helped prevent a more tragic outcome. Their bravery reminds us how important it is to look out for one another.
