EDWARDSVILLE -- A man tackled an accused bank robber as he tried to get away. Money went flying in the air as the suspect got pinned to the ground outside the bank in Luzerne County.
The man police credit with catching that bank robbery suspect was sitting in a car outside the bank in Luzerne County when he saw the suspect come out with hands full of cash. That alleged robber didn't get far and we talked with the guy who caught him.
"I didn't want to do what I had to do," said the accused bank robber in the back of a police cruiser.
He was caught because another man did what he had to do. Robert Hann of Plymouth says he tackled that robber.
"It was definitely crazy. You don't deal with everyday life experiences like that," Hann said.
Hann told us his story after telling it to officers at the Edwardsville police department. He says he was sitting in a truck outside the Community Bank in the West Side Mall when his friend came out saying the place was getting robbed.
"She got in the truck, she dialed 911, she called the cops and the guy came out of the bank a few minutes later. I just said, 'let me out of the truck,' you know, reacted, got out of the truck, went behind the guy, picked him up and got him on the ground and held him."
Hann held him until police came to make the arrest.
We found an officer with a wad of cash, money that Hann says went flying in the air.
"When I went to put him down, you could see the money. Money was just everywhere."
While the suspect seemed to admit he did something wrong to us earlier, he had a different story heading in for police questioning.
"Did you rob the bank?"
"No, I didn't," he replied.
"What were you doing there?"
"Collecting some cash," he said.
"And you got tackled for collecting some cash?"
"Go ___ yourself."
"He's obviously under the influence of some kind of drugs or alcohol, you know, his mind's altered. Sometimes people in those positions do something to survive," Hann said.
Police were grateful to have a robbery solved so soon.
"I looked at the guy and saw this guy's not dangerous. He didn't pose a threat, so you eliminate people that don't pose threats," Hann added.
Police identified the suspect as Keith Rosyak, 43, of Edwardsville. He was arraigned and charged with robbery, theft, and terroristic threats.
No one was hurt, but Rosyak did have a couple cuts and bruises on his face.
Officers said after he is treated at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Rosyak will be locked up in the Luzerne County jail on $75,000 bail.