An armed man jumped out of a car in West Hollywood and tried to steal a Rolex, authorities said Wednesday, but the attempted thief may have picked the wrong guy.
A retired professional fighter and his girlfriend were walking down Sweetzer Avenue at around 1 p.m. Wednesday when the gunman got out of the car and demanded the luxury watch.
The athlete, who declined to be identified, exclusively told NBC Los Angeles that he put his skills to use and tackled the criminal.
Surveillance video from a neighbor also captured the moment when the black sedan pulled up, and the gunman got beat up by someone he targeted.
“I was able to disarm and take the gun from him,” the man said. “I had him pinned down. He was trying to get up. No way, we’re not letting him go.”
The retired professional fighter said the gun was loaded.
The man’s girlfriend also quickly jumped into help and wrestled the gun to the ground.
“I’m the one who ran, grabbed (the gun) and threw it over the apartment fence,” she said.
The attempted robber was arrested, according to the LA County Sheriff’s Department, but the driver of the black sedan managed to get away.
Wednesday’s attempted robbery happened less than two weeks after three men hopped out of a car and stole a Rolex, wedding ring and phone from a man. The victim had told NBCLA that two of the men had guns while another had a crowbar.