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A would-be armed robber got a nasty surprise Wednesday when a bystander tackled him as he attempted to rob a Wawa convenience store in Sicklerville, New Jersey.
The Good Samaritan said he acted instinctively to protect the store that he visits every day.
'Not in this Wawa,' Daryl, 52, who did not want to reveal his last name, told NBC10. 'We're not gonna have that nonsense. There are nice ladies in here that work here and they don't deserve it. Don't deserve it at all.'
The have-a-go-hero was in the store shortly before 2am Wednesday picking up a cup of coffee and a bag of donuts when the armed man entered.
The suspect, identified by police as Alexander Ray, 26, took out a handgun and ordered the store's staff and customers to lay on the floor, Daryl said. 'You know, aggressive voice. 'Get Down! Get down! Get down! Give me the money!'
Daryl acted immediately, wrestling Ray to the ground. The two continued to fight all the way out of the door of the convenience store, until Daryl gained the upper hand.
“He wanted me to let him go,” Daryl said. “He asked me could he get up and go. Said he was sorry that he came here and can I let him go. And that wasn’t happening.”
Daryl, whose three children include one South Jersey police officer, managed to keep Ray restrained until police officers arrived - only to discover that the would-be robber's gun was not loaded.
The suspect was taken into custody, while Daryl was left with minor injuries from the struggle.