Stopped by the Bank with My Wife, Encountered a Robber
"Kept My Eyes on the Gun, Then Grabbed It with Both Hands"
A citizen who subdued a robber attempting to threaten a bank employee with a 'toy water gun' wrapped in a plastic bag and steal money at a bank in Busan was known to have served in a special forces unit in his younger days.
According to a report by 'Yonhap News' on the 10th, the bank robber, Mr. A, was subdued by citizen Park Chan-gyu (53) after visiting the bank that day. Park was conducting financial transactions at the branch with his wife before the robber burst in.
It was reported that Mr. A entered shouting "Attention, attention" and demanded "Put the money in, kneel down." At the time, the robber was holding a gun-shaped object wrapped in plastic, instantly creating an atmosphere of fear at the scene.
Park explained that after kneeling down, he kept his eyes fixed on the gun in the robber’s hand. He recalled, "My wife was with me, and there was a female employee, so everyone was very frightened. Among the customers, I seemed to be the only one who could resolve the situation, and I felt I had to end it quickly."
Park, who was about three steps away from the robber, said, "Since he was alone, he was looking around and had many places to watch. He was holding the gun with one hand, and his gaze was briefly diverted. I thought I could act now, so I approached in an instant and grabbed the gun with both hands."
When Park took the gun and opened the plastic, a dinosaur-shaped toy water gun appeared. Park explained, "At the time I tackled the robber, I had no idea it was a fake gun, so I used all my strength."
It was reported that Park had served in a special forces unit in his youth. He said, "Now it is a command unit, but I served in the 701st unit in the past. Although it has been a long time since my service, I know more about guns than ordinary people, so I felt less fear and was able to move my body."
Meanwhile, the subdued Mr. A was arrested on robbery charges and is under investigation at the Busan Gijang Police Station. The police plan to present Park with a letter of appreciation soon.
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