A Soldier on Leave Catches an Armed Bank Robber

Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples talks Wednesday about subduing a bank robber outside a Bank of America branch on Bee Ridge Road on Tuesday. Buy photo STAFF PHOTO / E. SKYLAR LITHERLAND

The following is from the Sarasota Herald Tribune. There’s a link for the story at the bottom of the entry.

On Wednesday, the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office recognized Army Staff Sgt. Eddie Peoples for his quick action blocking a bank robber’s car from escaping and then taking the robber down when he pointed a gun at him. The gun was later found to be a “realistic toy.”

Peoples is based in Italy with the 386th Movement Control Team, but he is on leave with his family in Florida. He stopped by the bank with his two young sons on their way to go fishing. Peoples followed the robber outside afterward to block his getaway car because the suspect had threatened Peoples’ 4-year-old and 6-year-old sons.

You can read a full account of the robbery in the Sarasota Herald Tribune and view a video of Peoples.