When Michael Armus Sr. stopped by the Bank of the West in Woodland to deposit a check, he could not have imagined what was about to unfold in front of his eyes, Good Morning America (GMA) reported Friday.
According to law enforcement, Eduardo Placensia, who is in his 40s, had given the teller a note that said he had explosives and wanted money.
“I’m always joking around, and it wasn’t no jokes yesterday,” Armus said.
However, the suspect was familiar to him, and Armus soon realized he was a former neighbor and his daughter’s friend. That was the moment he knew he had to do something to help.
He also heard irritation and depression in the man’s voice, which made his heart go out to him.
“So, I just approached him, and I asked him, I said, ‘What’s wrong?… You don’t have a job?’ He said, ‘There’s nothing in this town for me. Nothing in this town for me. I just want to go to prison,’” Armus recalled, adding he tried to comfort the man.
“So, I took him outside, and I give the man a hug right here at the doors. He started crying,” Armus explained.
When police arrived at the scene moments later, they arrested the suspect for attempted robbery, and authorities noted he was unarmed.
“I believe it was meant for me to be here that day,” Armus said while wearing a shirt with the words “Love God. Love People. Impact Lives” printed on it.
Now, Armus is thinking about visiting Placencia in jail, noting, “Love overcomes all things. People don’t realize that. Try to be kind to somebody. It makes a difference.”
Read the full story here.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
