An accused bank robber is off the streets after a mall employee jumped into action to help police bring him into custody.
Algis Diaz, 24, was arrested at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, Pa. Saturday afternoon after leading police on a foot chase, officials said.
Diaz has been wanted in connection to several bank robberies over the past month, police say.
State Police were tipped off to Diaz's whereabouts after a tip caller recognized him near the mall. Uniform and undercover officers went to the shopping center and followed the suspect as he shopped.
The officers later attempted to bring Diaz into custody as he left the mall, but he fled on foot. Trooper Robert Hess, who was undercover, took chase, but was hurt after a police canine mistook him for a suspect and bit him in the leg, officials said.
Diaz eventually made his way back inside the mall where he was tackled by Rueben Rivera.
Rivera, 31, was working inside a cell phone store when he saw the chase and talked Diaz.
“When I just tackled him I really knocked all the air out of him," Rivera said. "And he was complaining he couldn’t breathe and I told him, I said, 'Look man, you’re not goin’ anywhere.'”
Rivera says he wasn't aware that Diaz was wanted for the bank robberies and is thankful he didn't have a weapon.
Diaz was quickly cuffed and later charged with several counts of Theft and Receiving Stolen Property, Aggravated Assault and related offenses. He is being held in the Berks County Prison.
Tpr. Hess was taken to Reading Hospital with severe bite wounds to his leg. He is expected recover.
