Customers Hailed As Heroes In Armed Robbery Takedown

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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) -- Surveillance cameras were rolling during a risky take-down inside of a Coral Gables convenience store Saturday.

Two customers are seen fighting to tackle an alleged armed robber.

"I think it's a very brave act. They thought that's a bad guy, we got to take him down," said Nicolas Lipcpon, who lives nearby.

The hold-up happened around 4:30 a.m. at the Down Stairs convenience store on Ponce De Leon Blvd.

The man, dressed in a camo hoodie with his face hidden, stormed in and ordered everyone to get on the ground.

"He's demanding that they get on the floor and give him their money and empty their pockets or he'll shoot them," said Lauren Poole of the Coral Gables Police.

Police said the would-be-robber is holding a loaded gun in his right pocket and threatened to fire at anyone who didn't listen.

But the two customers inside weren't in the mood to take orders. In the video, you see them team up against the thug, pushing him and throwing punches until they finally knock him to the ground.

The men held him down until police could arrive.

Investigators said the man behind the hoodie is 32-year-old Jovon Reddick, posing for his mugshot with a bloody bandage across his head.

Police recommend that people do not fight back in a situation like this.

When cops took Reddick into custody they said he told them he was only joking.

Reddick was arrested and charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon while committing an offense.

The customers were not hurt.