West Hollywood, CA — An attempted armed robbery in West Hollywood took an unexpected turn when a retired wrestler fought back, disarming and pinning down the suspect until deputies arrived, according to authorities and eyewitnesses.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said the incident occurred just before 1 p.m. on the 900 block of North Sweetzer Avenue. The victim and his girlfriend were walking down the street when a man in a dark-colored sedan suddenly stopped and confronted them with a gun.
Suspect Confronts Couple With Gun
According to investigators, the masked suspect exited the vehicle holding a handgun and demanded the victim’s Rolex watch. The victim refused, and the situation quickly escalated into a violent struggle.
Neighbor Patrick McCloskey, who was working from home at the time, said he heard screams from outside and rushed to see what was happening.
“The chaos was so intense, I didn’t know who jumped who,” McCloskey told KTLA. “I ran to the door to see what was happening. At that point, I hear her yell, ‘Get the gun, get the gun!’”
The suspect, unaware that his target was a retired professional wrestler, quickly found himself overpowered.
“But he didn’t know that the guy was a retired wrestler,” McCloskey said. “So, he was able to get the gun off the guy and wrestle him down.”
Victim Wrestles Gunman to the Ground
According to KTLA, the victim told deputies that he grabbed the suspect’s wrist, forced him to the ground, and disarmed him. His girlfriend then threw the gun over a nearby fence to prevent the suspect from reaching it again.
During the scuffle, a second man exited the vehicle but quickly jumped back in and fled the scene before deputies arrived.
“I was told the gun was loaded,” McCloskey added. “The guy who is sort of the hero in all of this, who was able to pin the guy down, told me he saw a bullet in the chamber.”
Eyewitnesses described the fight as intense and said the victim showed no hesitation in defending himself.
“At one point, the guy’s arm got dislocated, and he just held him down,” McCloskey said.
Deputies Arrive and Arrest Suspect
Video footage obtained by KTLA shows LASD deputies arresting the suspect and recovering the firearm used in the attempted robbery. The man was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities confirmed that no shots were fired during the altercation, though the suspect sustained injuries consistent with being restrained during the fight.
“The victim’s quick thinking and physical control prevented what could have been a much worse outcome,” one investigator told reporters.
Ongoing Investigation
Deputies are now searching for the second suspect who fled in the vehicle. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to identify the getaway car and any additional accomplices.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the LASD’s West Hollywood Station.
The department also encouraged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activity immediately.
What are your thoughts on this incident and how the victim handled the situation? Share your views in the comments below.
