Fire captain, retired Army lieutenant detain armed robbery suspect

By FireRescue1 Staff

MODESTO, Calif. — An off-duty fire captain and retired U.S. Army lieutenant are being hailed heroes after wrestling an armed robber to the ground at a bar Monday night.

Modesto Fire Capt. John Walker and retired U.S. Army Lt. Derek Hudson knew something was wrong when a man with a sweatshirt wrapped around his head entered the bar, Fox40.com reported.

"Instantly knew that gut instinct that this was a serious situation and something wasn't right," Capt. Walker said. 

Capt. Walker and Lt. Hudson said the man shot at the ceiling inside the bar as a diversion. 

"I could tell it was an airsoft or a pellet gun at that point," Lt. Hudson said. "[There was a] couple sitting right here, so we kinda struggled for the gun, but I was trying not to point it at them, then we went to the ground."

Capt. Walker then tackled the man, who had robbed three nearby businesses before attempting another at the bar, according to the report. 

"Don't think it's any sort of heroism or anything at that point," Capt. Walker said. "I think it's just reacting in a situation to make things better."

The Modesto Police Department took the man, identified as 18-year-old Justyn Wesson, into custody. He is facing robbery and attempted robbery charges.