A visit to a regional bank for a California man turned out to be more than he was expecting.
Michael Armus Sr. went to a Bank of the West on Monday to deposit a check when police say 42-year-old Eduardo Placensia passed a note to a teller, claiming he had explosives and demanded money.
Armus said he recognized the suspect as someone he knew. It was a former neighbor and friend of his daughter. Placensia seemed irritated and depressed in the sound of his voice. That's when Armus knew he had to intervene right away.
"So, I just approached him, and I asked him, I said, 'What's wrong?... You don't have a job?'" said Armus. "He said, 'There's nothing in this town for me. Nothing in this town for me. I just want to go to prison.'"
The 69-year-old said he tried to comfort the suspect and suggested that the two go outside and talk. They did speak and ultimately, the situation ended in a hug.
"So, I took him outside, and I give the man a hug right here at the doors," said Armus. "He started crying."
Despite Armus' attempt to deflect the situation, officers arrived on the scene shortly after and arrested Placensia, for attempted robbery. Placensia was unarmed, according to authorities.
In a statement to ABC News, police praised Armus, and called him a "Good Samaritan who delivered the right message that made a difference."
Armus said he believes it was fate that brought him to the bank that day. Had he not been there, things would have turned out differently.
"It was meant for me to be here," he said.
Source: ABC News Go