【2003 Archives】

Three women enjoying a quiet dinner in Santa Monica Thursday night went from their cheese platter to heroically thwarting an alleged date rape attempt.

One of the women003 Archives Sonia Ulrich, shared the incredible story on Facebook in a post that has since gone viral.

Ulrich describes how she, along with friends Monica Kenyon and Marla Saltzer, were dining at the restaurant Fig at the Fairmont when Kenyon spotted a man at a nearby table putting something in his date's drink without her knowing.

Instead of sitting quietly, Ulrich approached the woman in the bathroom and told her what Kenyon had seen.

"Oh My God." She said. Shocked, kind of numb, so I babbled "Yeah, my girlfriend said she saw him put something in your drink and we had to say something. Woman to woman...you know. We had to say something. How well do you know that guy?" I was expecting to hear "We just met," but I got:

"He's one of my best friends."

Shit. Yeah. One of her best friends. They had known each other for a year and a half. They worked together. 

The three women also notified the restaurant staff, who apparently asked security to look into it. According to Ulrich's post, the team at Fig at the Fairmont were able to see the man empty the vial into the woman's drink in their security footage and call the police. 

While the woman boldly went back to the table as if nothing had happened, the restaurant staff delayed getting the bill to the man so the police could make the arrest.

Sergeant Jeff Glaser of the Santa Monica Police Department confirmed the incident to Mashable. The man, Michael Hsu, has been arrested and is being held on a $1 million bail, he said.

Fig at the Fairmont was not able to comment when approached by Mashable.

Ulrich said other diners erupted with praise for the trio after the arrest, and shared their own stories about similar incidents that had happened to them or people they knew.

"It happened to my sister...I'm glad I was there to take her home."

"It happened to my roommate at a producer's party. He's still messed up from it."

"It happened to me. At a backyard barbecue."

"It happened to me. At a bar I worked at."

These three women definitely have the right approach: It's always best to speak up.

As Ulrich wrote: "to everyone who sees this and shares this and reminds each other that yes, you SHOULD say something. Even if it's awkward or weird or just uncertain if anything can be done."

Ulrich, Kenyon and Saltzer have been approached for comment.

[H/T Jezebel]

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