Manager Says She Pushed Would-Be Robber Out Of Restaurant

INDIANAPOLIS -- A female pizza restaurant manager shoved a would-be robber out of the business Monday evening after she determined he wasn't armed, police said.

Samantha Richardson, 24, told police a man entered the Domino's Pizza store, located at 2522 E. Washington St., demanded money and grabbed her. The man said he had a gun under his shirt, according to Richardson.

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Video: Manager Says She Pushed Would-Be Robber Out Of Restaurant

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"When I touched it, I said, 'That's not a gun,' " Richardson told 6News' Derrik Thomas. "He said, 'Yeah it is.' I pushed him out the security door and shut the door."

Richardson said the man then kicked the door and forced his way back in, but she pushed him out again and locked the door.

By the time the struggle was over, someone had called police. Five workers and three customers were in the store at the time, Thomas reported.

Authorities said they later arrested the man, whom they identified as John Willis, 43, in an alley near the 200 block of North Temple Avenue.

Police said they usually discourage resistance by robbery victims, and that this case wasn't an exception.

"You can be a hero, but by giving the right information out and letting us apprehend him and not risking your life in the process," Indianapolis police Sgt. Matt Mount said. "I'm glad in this case it turned out well for her. She's a brave woman and I hope she is doing well."

The confrontation left Richardson with bruises on her arms. No other injuries were reported.

"If he would have had a gun clearly in my face, I would have done what we are trained to do, which is get on the floor, hand him the money and do the right thing," Richardson said. "But because he wasn't armed and he actually grabbed me, it was more of a self-defense thing."

Willis faces a charge of attempted robbery. He was being held in jail Tuesday with bond set at $100,000.