Bystander halts bank robbery

PALM BAY, Fla., April 30 (UPI) -- Police in Florida praised the courage of a 62-year-old man who used his handgun to foil a bank robbery.

Ruben Torres, 62, an off-duty security guard, said he was at the Space Coast Credit Union in Palm Bay Thursday when a man entered and began behaving suspiciously, the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Friday.

"He wasn't disguised or anything. But he put a Wal-Mart bag on his head, walked to the counter and gave the teller a note ... He even took the bag off his head and gave it to the teller to put the cash in," Torres said.

Torres, who has a concealed weapons permit, said he quietly left the bank to get his gun from his car.

Torres showed the man his gun and ordered him to lie on the ground until police arrived.

"The whole thing lasted 3 to 4 minutes," Torres said.

Floyd Francis, 23, of Palm Bay, was arrested and charged with robbery.

"Torres' actions, while not encouraged, are appreciated and were very courageous," police Lt. Mark Renkens said. "He took action to stop a crime in progress and fortunately made a positive difference in the outcome."