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Audio: Interview With Customer (From Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
TBO.com staff report
BRADENTON – Thanks to some quick thinking, a customer thwarted a possible bank robbery Thursday morning at Suntrust Bank.
David Sovey, 27, entered the bank at 4215 W. Cortez Road about 11 a.m. to make a transaction. As Sovey walked away from the bank teller, the man standing behind him, Iain M. Bianchi, approached the teller and demanded money, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.
Bianchi also told the teller he had a weapon, the sheriff’s office said. The teller handed Bianchi an undisclosed amount of cash.
Witnessing the transaction, Sovey tackled Bianchi and the teller was able to activate the alarm.
Bianchi was charged with robbery and aggravated battery.
It was an honorable thing he did. Certainly felt a civil duty to take action. He should be commended. However, in light of the presence of a weapon (as stated in the story) and given that Sorvey could have failed or miscalculated his efforts, gun play could have ensued. The risk of injury to himself or worst yet, to other innocent bystanders, could have given tragic results.
The smarter decision would have been to wait for the assailant to exit the bank, follow him (along with any accomplices) and give the assailant’s positions and course of travel to 911 via his cell phone.
Nevertheless, Sorvey nice job.
Bad people win when good people do nothing.
No - he was a hero, not something most people would instinctively do. Hope Mr. Sovey’s around if I ever need help. Thanks for caring.
stupid STUPID!!!!
Not sure if he was brave or stupid.
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Posted by J. Scott Taylor, Tampa on 06/08 at 04:57 PM
Brave. People need to get involved.