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Marin Man Jumps Fence, Saves Woman From Attacker With Garden Shears

SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) -- A Marin County woman is alive thanks to the heroic efforts of her neighbors who rescued her from an ex trying to kill her with a pair of pruning shears.

The attack happened at a home on Vendola Drive in San Rafael on Saturday around 11 a.m. according to the Marin Independent Journal.

Bill Gaito was in his backyard with a friend when he heard screams. He told authorities he saw a man choking his next door neighbor. His friend jumped the fence and wrestled the man to the ground. Another neighbor called 911.

Gaito helped the woman while his friend restrained the attacker until police arrived. The attacker was arrested and authorities found a gun in the bushes nearby.

According to the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the suspect, Charles Tooker was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, domestic violence and other related charges.

Tooker was being held in jail on $500,000 bond.

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