This is the moment a heroic son-in-law smashes his own car into the back of a vehicle being used by a group of thieves who were attempting to mug his father-in-law who they were threatening with what turned out to be replica guns.

A 37-year-old local bus driver, Miguel Angel Perez destroyed his own car to save his father-in-law and said he would do it all again if he had to, even after being beaten bloody by the suspects and having had to spend half of his monthly wage on repairs.

The clip was released last Sunday (18th April) by Diego Kravetz, the municipality’s Secretary of Security, who is in the midst of a campaign promising locals improved security in Lanus Partido in the Argentine capital city of Buenos Aires.

Kravetz reacted to the footage on Twitter, stating: “Whilst politicians play their games, this is how everyday people have to protect themselves.”

According to local media outlet Infobae, the incident at 10.00 am on Sunday morning when the five suspects armed with replica guns stole the white Citroen C3 seen in the footage.

They reportedly threatened the owner of the vehicle, forced her out of the car at gunpoint and then drove off.

The suspects then went on a joy ride around the streets of the Argentine capital until they stopped their car next to 68-year-old Enrique Carlos Caruso who was sat in his car near his home in the Villa Diamante neighbourhood of Lanus.

As the CCTV footage shows the gang then jumps out of their car and force Enrique out of his car at gunpoint.

In the midst of the robbery, a red Chevrolet driven by Miguel turns the corner and begins to speed towards the thieves.

Miguel said: “As we approached the house my wife started screaming after she saw the thugs attacking Enrique.”

He went on:” I pull over and told my wife and my children to get out of the car”.

Miguel smashed his car into the vehicle driven by the suspects who jump out and start to point their guns at him.

He said: “When I first saw the guns I backed off but then I realised that they weren’t shooting at me so I decided to go for them.”

In the footage, Miguel can be seen throwing himself towards the suspects resulting in a draw out fistfight.

Punches are exchanged and Miguel claims he was beaten repeatedly on the head, however, with the help of a passer-by they fend off the suspects who proceeded to flee the scene.

Local media reports that the group split up with some opting to make their escape on foot whilst others got back in the stolen car and drove off.

An unnamed 16-year-old was arrested shortly after the incident and is currently being held at a police station in Lanus whilst the other suspects have not yet been arrested.

Miguel didn’t suffer any severe injuries but he claims that economically the incident has cost him.

He told Infobae that it will cost him about 60 percent of his monthly salary to fix the car as his insurance company is refusing to cover the damages but he says without a car he can’t go to work or drop his kids off at school.

Miguel said that despite taking a beating and losing such a large chunk of his paycheck: “I would do it all again if I had to”.