A customer in Florida took down a would-be thief at a Walgreen’s Pharmacy.
The customer just happened to be a trained fighter.
He said he didn’t think twice before jumping into action to protect those in the store.
"I wasn’t trying to be malicious in any way, it’s just how I reacted to the situation," David West said.
This past Valentine’s Day, West stopped by the Walgreen’s to visit his girlfriend in the pharmacy.
As the pair spoke, the suspect rushed over and climbed onto the counter, threatening the staff. He told them to give him oxycodone.
The suspect also said he had a gun.
"When he started reaching into his pants like he had a weapon, that’s when I did something, you know, just to protect my girlfriend," West said.
West walked over and took him down, wrestling with the man in the aisle until knocked him unconscious.
The suspect was 26-year-old Anthony Nemeth.
West said he was happy he was able to protect his girlfriend but said to see the man battling drug addiction.
"The whole time I was holding him down it really, really hurt my heart," West said.
Police do not encourage the behavior, but they are proud of West for helping out. They offered tips for someone if they chosoe to stop a criminal.
"Make sure you don’t hurt yourself, make sure nobody else gets hurt, and if they guy has the gun and you can see it, don’t try to take him down because we don’t want you getting shot," Lieutenant James Racky said.
West said he feels like he did the right thing.
"I did what I had to do to protect the person I love, you know," he said. "I hope he gets the help he needs, you know, and I hope it helps his loved ones,
too."