Politics & Government

UPDATED: 17-Year-Old Fridley Armed Robber Tackled by Ex-lineman

The teenager was tackled by a 270-pound SuperAmerica customer in Rogers.

Updated (3:45 p.m. Wednesday): The Fridley teenager alleged to have robbed a Rogers SuperAmerica Tuesday evening with a handgun had bad luck in his getaway plan and found himself tackled by a 6-foot-3, 270-pound former Milaca High School and Central Lakes College defensive end named John Dyker.

Dyker told the Star Tribune that he suspected the 17-year-old was "up to no good" from the moment the teen entered the gas station with a bandana covering his face.

Dyker watched from outside the store as the teen robbed a female clerk, he said. He blocked a door with his van and told another bystander to call the police.

Find out what's happening in Fridleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When the teen left the store, Dyker was ready.

"I did my best John Randle imitation and plowed him over," Dyker told the Star Tribune. "My full intention was to knock the wind out of him ... I wasn't going to give him a chance [to shoot]. The gun fell out of his hands, and I threw it."

Find out what's happening in Fridleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dyker later said the weapon had the look and heft of a BB gun.

Read more at the Star Tribune's website.

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Original post (12:23 p.m. Wednesday): A 17-year-old Fridley resident trying to flee the Rogers SuperAmerica gas station he had robbed was tackled by a customer Tuesday evening, Fox 9 is reporting.

A Rogers police officer saw the 17-year-old running from the gas station, pursued by a customer.

The customer then tackled the Fridley resident, who was armed, and Rogers police placed him under arrest.

A 17-year-old Shoreview resident, who drove the Fridley man, was also placed under arrest.

For more, read the full story at Fox 9.


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