BELLINGHAM, WA -- Witnesses jumped to action when they saw a suspect attempt to car-jack an elderly man in Bellingham.

The 80-year-old victim and a 77-year-old female companion stopped at the Wendy’s Restaurant in the 100 block of Samish Way yesterday (Monday) afternoon when the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Reggie Williams of Snohomish County, demanded the keys to the man’s car.

The victim refused and witnesses say Williams pushed the man to the ground and attempted to take the vehicle.

A female employee of the restaurant tried to keep the suspect from leaving the scene, and two other witnesses pulled him out of the car and held him until officers arrived.

Paramedics treated the elderly man at the scene.

Williams told investigators he needed a car to get back to Snohomish County after he tried to buy drugs in Bellingham.

He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on a number of charges.