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Machete Wielding Watchman Wards Off Gun Toting Robber
posted (June 16, 2015)

Last night in San Ignacio, a dramatic scene played out when a man went to rob Chuc's Gas Station on Bullet Tree Road. When police responded, they found the 28 year old security guard in the drain fighting off an armed robber. So what made a watchman with a machete bold enough to take on a robber with a loaded 38 pistol? That's what Daniel Ortiz asked him today:…

Romeo Quiroz - Pump Attendant

"I was sitting down on my chair waiting and from there, when I took a glimpse at my side I see the man point a gun at me - a revolver. What I did is not to approach him but to stay behind the pump. Then I called the watchman and the watchman approached him immediately and thing being to wrestle down and we tried to catch him down until the police arrive."

Alex Rios - Detained the Armed Robber

"He point to the man and tell him give me all your money or you will die. But when he do so and look at me and I was trying to run to the man and the man run to the fence and like he knew the place good and touch the fence and he bounce back and I was close to him and I caught him, bam! Knocked him in the face and he dropped to the ground. When he dropped to the ground I grabbed him by his two hands. When I grabbed him by his two hands he took out a knife for me to let him go, but I no let him go. Then we rolled and we dropped in the drain. In the water he took out the knife again and cut me."

Daniel Ortiz

"So all your injuries right now are from where he inflicted trying to get you off him right?"

Alex Rios

"Yes, I got 11 cuts."

Daniel Ortiz

"But you managed to keep him there for the entire time until police caught him right?"

Alex Rios

"Yeah, when police reached I done had the man grabbed. He had 2 man more with him but when the 2 young man see I grabbed the man they gone, they no stay."

Daniel Ortiz

"It appears you are a hero, you managed to stop robbers from robbing the place and more than that, they were armed. How did you process that? You know, I'm going to stop him even though he has a gun."

Alex Rios

"All you need is a lee bit of courage because I see when the man do so and cocked the gun but it didn't buss. When the police came they told me that the gun have different kind ot bullets that's why it didn't buss."

Daniel Ortiz

"Then, you saw this gentleman pointing this gun at you, what was happening in your mind?"

Romeo Quiroz

"What happened in my mind is if he try continue to talk to me just give him the money because that's what my boss told me. My life is at risk and just give him the money and he walk away. But the watchman was close by and he rescued me."

Daniel Ortiz

"Does it make you a bit more wary when you're doing business looking around to make sure that no one sneaks up on you like that again?"

Romeo Quiroz

"Oh yes, I will be with my eyes open because I know this is a big risk we are taking here. Until 10 o'clock is a big risk."

The robber had to receive medical treatment, but he was released into Police custody today. The Deputy officer commanding San Ignacio Police told us that a number of criminal charges are being prepared for him:

Insp. Reymundo Reyes - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police

"A security was close by, saw when the person accosted the attendant and he immediately intervened. So, he didn't lose sight of this individual, he tackled him immediately and hold him and struggled with him until then police arrived. So we know we have the right person in custody and as a result we are recording statements at this moment and charges are being prepared for Mr. Kaley - the charge for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a gun license. The charge of attempted robbery and wounding upon Mr. Rios."

The robber is well known to San Ignacio police.

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