West Hollywood, CA — A would-be robber picked the wrong target when he tried to steal a Rolex watch from a retired professional wrestler, leading to a dramatic street struggle caught on camera. The attempted robbery occurred just before 1 p.m. in the 900 block of North Sweetzer Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).
Suspect Demands Rolex at Gunpoint
The victim, who requested anonymity, told deputies that he and his girlfriend were walking when a man in a dark-colored sedan sped toward them and stopped abruptly. The masked suspect exited the car, brandishing a handgun and demanded the victim’s Rolex watch.
When the victim refused, a violent confrontation began in the middle of the street.
“The chaos was so intense, I didn’t know who jumped who,” said witness Patrick McCloskey, who was working from home nearby. “At that point, I hear her yell, ‘Get the gun, get the gun!’”
Retired Wrestler Overpowers Armed Robber
The attacker likely didn’t expect that his target was a former wrestler. The victim fought back, using his training to disarm and subdue the suspect before law enforcement arrived.
According to WGN-TV, the man wrestled the gunman to the ground, took the weapon, and restrained him while his girlfriend threw the firearm over a nearby fence to keep it out of reach.
“He didn’t know that the guy was a retired wrestler,” McCloskey told KTLA. “So, he was able to get the gun off the guy and wrestle him down.”
During the struggle, a second suspect exited the car but quickly got back in and fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Witnesses Describe the Chaotic Scene
Witnesses say the scene unfolded rapidly, with bystanders hearing shouts and struggling noises before the situation came under control.
“I was told the gun was loaded,” McCloskey said. “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.”
As the confrontation intensified, the retired wrestler allegedly dislocated the suspect’s arm while keeping him pinned until deputies reached the scene.
“At one point, the guy’s arm got dislocated, and he just held him down,” McCloskey said.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Deputies arrived within minutes, arresting the suspect and recovering the firearm used during the incident. The second suspect remains at large, and LASD detectives are continuing the investigation.
Video footage obtained by KTLA shows deputies taking the suspect into custody as the victim stood nearby with his girlfriend.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the attempted robbery to contact the LASD West Hollywood Station.
Community Praise for Swift Action
Local residents have praised the victim’s quick response and courage, calling him a hero for stopping what could have been a deadly encounter.
“He showed no mercy,” McCloskey said, describing how the victim kept the suspect pinned until deputies arrived.
The victim did not sustain major injuries, though witnesses say the situation could have turned tragic had the suspect fired the loaded gun.
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