Two customers waiting in line inside a Baton Rouge bank Thursday morning joined forces to take down a man who walked in with a handgun and demanded money, according to Baton Rouge Police.
"The man came in with a gun and two good Samaritans stopped it," said Lt. L'Jean McKneely Jr., police spokesperson.
Police identified the would-be robber as Quarles Harris, 51. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish prison on counts of armed robbery, unauthorized use of a moving vehicle, simple battery, as well as a previous arrest warrant. Harris has an extensive arrest history for armed robbery, domestic violence and theft, according to authorities.
The thwarted robbery happened about 10:15 a.m. at the Regions Bank at 3121 Sherwood Forest Blvd., when the suspect walked in and pointed a gun at tellers.Â
The two customers "stepped up when he had a gun in his hand and started fighting him," McKneely said. "It was a violent struggle, but they took him down and removed his gun from his hand."
Meanwhile, someone at the bank made a call to 911 during the struggle.
"The fight was still going on when police officers walked in," McKneely said.Â
Other customers were in the bank at the time and some were still walking into the building, unaware of the incident inside.Â
The suspect received minor injuries in the fight and was arrested.
"No customers were hurt," McKneely said. "We're blessed and fortunate for that."
One of the good Samaritans made a career choice Thursday morning.
"He put in an application with the police department and is going through the process to be an officer," McKneely said.