A woman in California secretly used a hand signal to alert store workers about her abuser, and their quick response may have saved her life.
On August 19, a woman walked into a 7-Eleven store on Fremont Avenue and Montezuma Avenue in Alhambra, California. She was with John Palombi, a 38-year-old man from Glendora.
The woman knew she was in danger, but she could not speak up because Palombi was watching her.
Behind her back, she started making hand signals to the store workers. She tucked her thumb under her four fingers. This hand signal was created by the Canadian Women’s Foundation to show when someone needs help.
The Women’s Funding Network calls it “The Signal for Help.” You make it by holding out your palm, tucking in your thumb, and then closing your fingers over the thumb.
The 7-Eleven worker saw the woman’s signals and knew something was wrong. The worker called 911 right away. This quick action probably saved the woman’s life.
Alhambra Police officers came to the store and found the woman standing next to Palombi. Body camera video shows an officer asking the woman, “Are you OK? Are you OK? Do you mind if I talk to you really quick?”
The officers took the woman and Palombi outside. They talked to each person alone to find out what happened.
After the police questioned them, they asked Palombi to stand up. Instead of cooperating, he tried to run away. The officers caught him before he could leave the parking lot.
When they arrested him, they found out he had a warrant for his arrest. He was also carrying a stun gun.
The police booked Palombi into the Alhambra Police Department jail. He is now being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.
We can all learn from this story. When we see someone who looks scared or acts strange, we should trust our feelings.
God might be asking us to help save someone’s life. It may be our simple response that would save a life.
WATCH: Store Worker Notices Woman’s Secret Hand Signal and Saves Her Life
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