Man tackles armed robber outside store

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ROGERS, Minn., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A Minnesota man who tackled an armed teenage robber outside a SuperAmerica store said his years playing football helped prepare him for the feat.

John Daiker, 38, of Rogers, who stands 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs 270 pounds, said playing defensive end in high school and college gave him the experience he needed to take down the robber -- who was armed with a handgun -- outside the Rogers store shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday.

"I've always thought if you could help somebody, you just do it," Daiker said.

Daiker put the teen "in a front headlock. I had his head and his arm, and I was squeezing him" until a police officer who was watching the store due to recent armed robberies at SuperAmerica stores arrived to help.

Police said the 17-year-old suspect, whose name was not released, was taken into custody.