Robber taken down ‘WWE-style’
Off-duty cops, bank worker swiftly subdue gunman
Lieutenant
Stewart
Townsend and Detective
Andre Lebron’s military
experience and quick thinking kept the public in an Irvington bank safe during a
June 28, 2014 armed robbery.
Townsend was working
an off-duty uniformed detail
at Investors Bank when he
literally came face-to-face
with an armed robber.
His reaction was almost
second nature.
“It’s a part of who I am
and it’s a part of working in
Irvington,” he said.
A masked man, armed with a loaded pistol, walked into the bank and
pointed the gun at the side of Townsend’s head and demanded money
from a bank teller, throwing a bag at her. As the gunman focused on the
teller, Townsend attempted to disarm the robber and they began
fighting over the loaded weapon. It would be Anthony Miller, a bank
employee, who joined the battle, along with off-duty Detective Andres
Lebron, who saw the masked man enter the bank. Together they gained
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
LIEUTENANT STEWART TOWNSEND
DETECTIVE ANDRES LEBRON
IRVINGTON LOCAL 29
CIVILIAN GOLD MEDAL
ANTHONY MILLER
IRVINGTON LOCAL 29
control of the weapon and apprehended the gunman, foiling the robbery.
Miller received a Civilian Gold Award for his involvement in the incident.
“I faced dangers before because I was in the army for 16 years and
served in Iraq for two years straight. You could say pure training and
instincts took over,” said Lebron, who has worked details at the bank
and built relationships with workers and customers.
Lebron said Miller came at the armed robber with a flying drop kick
and picked up a chair WWE-style. But the suspect wouldn’t let go of the
gun, Lebron said.
“It was just really great to be recognized for surviving. Working
in Irvington you experience a lot of different things and
I really appreciate this honor,” said Townsend.
Hot pursuit
2015
r
Valo
DS
AWAR
Active shooter quelled after New Brunswick lunchtime chase
High-speed police chases are regular TV fare, but an afternoon
pursuit through a residential neighborhood became reality for New
Brunswick Captain Vincent Sabo and Sergeant Raymond Trigg on May
6, 2014.
Sabo and Trigg were patrolling busy Livingston Avenue in an
unmarked police car when they heard gunshots and spotted a vehicle
traveling at high speed directly towards them. A second car, whose
driver was firing gunshots out the window, was targeting the first vehicle.
“We were shocked,” admitted Trigg. “It was lunchtime in a residential
area with a lot of people and a lot of cars. Once we got through the initial
shock, we went into ‘We have to get these guys’ mode.”
Without regard for their own safety, Sabo and Trigg chased the second
vehicle while the occupants continued firing in their direction. The officers’ pursuit continued for several miles through the city, before one
suspect jumped out of the fleeing vehicle.
This passenger was arrested and two handguns recovered from him.
An investigation determined the incident was gang-related and two
suspects were later charged with attempted murder.
“We work in a city that is busy and we have been proactive cops for
more than 20 years,” acknowledged Sabo. “A lot of times things don’t
shock you anymore, but you always have to be alert and you always
have to be ready.”
For their actions in pursuit of actively shooting gang members, the
NJ State PBA bestowed the Meritorious Service Award upon the officers.
“It’s definitely an honor, especially in the later parts of our years as
police officers,” recognized Sabo. “It’s nice to be recognized for something like this when we’re not out on the street every single day answer-
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
CAPTAIN VINCENT SABO
SERGEANT RAYMOND TRIGG
NEW BRUNSWICK LOCAL 23
ing calls like we were.”
Trigg underscored the excitement. “I’m elated and overjoyed. We
didn’t sign up (to win awards) but it’s an incredible feeling.”
www.njcopsmagazine.com ■ DECEMBER 2015
55