Black crime statistic subtracted from ledger. Merry Christmas.
Authorities on Friday released surveillance video from an attempted robbery that occurred inside a Dairy Queen restaurant.
According to police, Michael Lee walked into the restaurant on South Yearling Road on Wednesday night and asked the manager for a job application, 10TV’s Brittany Westbrook reported.
Manager Dee Dee Grandy said Lee followed her behind the counter and grabbed a deposit bag before running away.
“He asked me if we were accepting applications and I started to say no,” she said. “I turned around and he grabbed it and took off.”
But Lee did not get far, thanks to a 6-feet-4 inch tall corrections officer who happened to be inside the restaurant with his family.
The 300-pound officer, who was only identified as Jeremiah, said he was waiting for his food when he saw Lee running.
“I saw him grab a bag and came out and that’s when I tackled him,” Jeremiah said.
Lee tried to make it to the door, but Jeremiah pushed him into the condiment stand and wrestled him to the floor. Jeremiah said Lee continued to struggle, but a well-placed knee was enough to keep him pinned to the floor.
“You know, it gave me the courage to stand up and take him,” Jeremiah said.
Authorities arrived a short time later and placed Lee under arrest.
Jeremiah, who is a regular patron at the Dairy Queen, was given a free meal for his actions, 10TV News reported.
“I always really liked him to begin with — but now I love him,” Grandy said.
Jeremiah, meanwhile, said he is not a hero.
“Just a good Samaritan in the right place at the right time,” he said.