Don't screw with a Marine that just lost $100

Wagner · #1 07-13-2007, 09:47 AM

DECATUR, Georgia — A former Marine, already irritated about the disappearance of $100 from his bank account, tackled a suspected robber who came into the bank wielding a fire extinguisher and demanding cash.

Timothy Armstead was waiting at the Washington Mutual Bank branch on Tuesday to discuss the missing money when the man came in and told bank employees he had a bomb. The man gave them five minutes to get $2,000 in $50 bills, DeKalb County police said.

As the employees went to the vault to comply, the unidentified man began loudly counting down the minutes, which attracted Armstead's attention, police spokesman Michael Payne said.

When the man then tried to walk out with the money, Armstead, 27, knocked him to the ground. He held the man down — lecturing him on his poor decision — until authorities arrived.

"I just told him it was a very stupid decision and now you get to spend 20 years of your life just for taking some money," Armstead told WSB-TV.

The man was taken to the DeKalb County Jail on suspicion of armed robbery. Jail officials declined to comment on his case Friday. A call to the DeKalb County Sheriff's office was not immediately returned.

Eric5273 · #2 07-13-2007, 09:57 AM

I suppose I should say "good for him". But if the man had indeed had a bomb, he could have cost all the people in the bank their lives. Good thing he was bluffing.

Wagner · #3 07-13-2007, 11:00 AM

True, he should have just let the guy rob them. Attitudes like 'what if' is what causes Columbine, VT and other instances....glad someone stood up.

noncom23 · #4 07-13-2007, 11:27 AM

Strong work.

RastaGurl · #5 07-13-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

True, he should have just let the guy rob them. Attitudes like 'what if' is what causes Columbine, VT and other instances....glad someone stood up.

I got mugged in broad daylight on the NY subway when I was in college, and no-one stood up for me but myself. Granted, he held a knife at my throat after I accosted him, but even then, no-one came to my rescue. Thank God for people like that pissed-off marine!!

Eric5273 · #6 07-13-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RastaGurl

I got mugged in broad daylight on the NY subway when I was in college, and no-one stood up for me but myself. Granted, he held a knife at my throat after I accosted him, but even then, no-one came to my rescue. Thank God for people like that pissed-off marine!!

A number of years ago, a friend of my parents was mugged in NYC and rather than give up his wallet, he tried to fight the mugger and was stabbed to death. You never know what the outcome of being a hero will turn out to be. You are still alive, and from your little story here, I assume you were not harmed and only lost some material items. I would say you were very lucky. There is a reason that bank tellers are instructed to cooperate with bank robbers. Money and material items can be replaced. Human lives cannot be.

Wagner · #7 07-13-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric5273

A number of years ago, a friend of my parents was mugged in NYC and rather than give up his wallet, he tried to fight the mugger and was stabbed to death. You never know what the outcome of being a hero will turn out to be. You are still alive, and from your little story here, I assume you were not harmed and only lost some material items. I would say you were very lucky. There is a reason that bank tellers are instructed to cooperate with bank robbers. Money and material items can be replaced. Human lives cannot be.

I guess some would rather die a hero then live a coward.

Eric5273 · #8 07-13-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

I guess some would rather die a hero then live a coward.

He was no hero. He tried to be. The guy got away with his money and watch, and he died the next day in the hospital. They never caught the guy.

It's kind of like when you hear about young kids getting killed over their air jordan sneakers. It's just not worth it.

PersonaNonGrata · #9 07-13-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric5273

A number of years ago, a friend of my parents was mugged in NYC and rather than give up his wallet, he tried to fight the mugger and was stabbed to death. You never know what the outcome of being a hero will turn out to be. You are still alive, and from your little story here, I assume you were not harmed and only lost some material items. I would say you were very lucky. There is a reason that bank tellers are instructed to cooperate with bank robbers. Money and material items can be replaced. Human lives cannot be.

Correct and obviously one has to pick his/her battles but the point is still valid that there is far too much apathy in society and the "why should I do anything?" attitude. In this situation, yes, the robber could have had a gun or a knife but given the fact that he armed himself with a fire extinguisher rather than a actual weapon, I think the Marine was reacting to that. I'm sure if the dude had a gun the Marine wouldn't have tried anything.

There is a saying that the best thing you can do is be a good witness but there are times when the situation demands action. If you were armed and a gunman entered your place of work or wherever and started killing people, would you not engage the attacker? I sure would. If on the other hand it is a robbery and no shots are fired yet, I wouldn't play hero and start a gungfight. For me, it is when there is imminent peril of death or great bodily injury that I would feel it necessary to take action. Otherwise, call 911 and be a good witness.

Thank God there are some who are willing to stand up to those who take advantage of others.

Verbalkint · #10 07-13-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

....glad someone stood up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

...There is a saying that the best thing you can do is be a good witness but there are times when the situation demands action...

Thank God there are some who are willing to stand up to those who take advantage of others.