Caught on camera: Trained fighter takes down robbery suspect

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BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA)- A man who tried to rob a Walgreens pharmacy probably wasn’t expecting to run into a trained fighter.

“I wasn’t trying to be malicious in any way, it’s just how I reacted to the situation,” said David West, who stopped the robbery attempt.

On Valentine’s Day, West stopped by a Bradenton Walgreens to visit his girlfriend in the pharmacy.

As the pair spoke, the suspect rushed over, climbed onto the counter and threatened the staff, saying he had a gun, while demanding oxycodone.

“When he started reaching into his pants like he had a weapon, that’s when I did something just to protect my girlfriend,” West said.

West walked over to the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Anthony Nemeth, and took him down, wrestling him in the aisle until he knocked him unconscious. Nemeth was pinned down by West until the cops arrived.

West says he was happy he protected his girlfriend, but he was sad to see a young man battling drug addiction.

“The whole time I was holding him down, it really, really hurt my heart,” West said. “I did what I had to do to protect the person I love. I hope he gets the help he needs, and I hope it helps his loved ones too.”

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