Citizens Stop Bank Robber in Bethesda

Police in Bethesda say citizens and bank employees are responsible for chasing and tackling a suspect who tried to rob a bank on Friday afternoon, and it turns out investigators believe the same suspect is responsible for another robbery at the same bank just weeks ago.

It happened at the Bank of America, which is located at 7316 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, at around 4:15 p.m.

Investigators say the suspect walked in and said he was robbing the bank. They say then took cash and ran, but two male bank employees and a male bank customer followed him.

Once outside, Montgomery County Police say the suspect sprayed the citizens with pepper spray twice to stop them from chasing him, but they weren't deterred. In fact, he jumped in a cab and they followed him for a few blocks down Elm Street. Then he hopped out, and the citizens tackled him to the ground in front of a Gifford's Ice Cream store on Bethesda Avenue.

Police say the citizens held the suspect on the ground until police arrived. Officers then recovered the money, and it was returned to the bank. No one was hurt.

Brad Becker was working at the ice cream shop where the action happened.

"I was surprised I heard a whole bunch of yelling outside," Becker said.

Bryan Guise was on his way to work, when he saw the cab and heard someone say call the cops.

"I see a buddy of mine from Bank of America chasing running after the person so I assume that there was a bank robbery," Bryan told FOX 5.

"He runs past us at about 4 to 5 feet from arms length at that time I get on my phone and called 911," Bryan said.

By the time he got to Gifford's Ice Cream, the group of people had caught him.

"Four people sitting on top of him, the money is on the ground, his finger is bleeding, blood on the ground," said Becker.

Police say while they're glad this situation ended well, it's rare for citizens to successfully stop a bank robber, and they don't advocate it. Instead, they recommend you comply with their demands, don't let the violence escalate, and be a good witness—not a hero.

The suspect has not been charged, nor has he been identified.

According to police, the same Bank of America was robbed Friday, February 13 at around the same time. Detectives said late Friday that they believe the same suspect is responsible for both robberies. Previously, police had described the suspect wanted in the February 13 robbery as a white man in his mid-20s with a thin build.

Friday's robbery happened right across the street from a police district, and just after President Barack Obama's motorcade passed as it headed north on Wisconsin Avenue.