Off-duty police officer stops armed robbery at convenience store

NEWTON, Mass. (WKRC) - An armed robber in Massachusetts picked the wrong time to hold up a store.

Lt. Dave Tempesta often visits a Newton convenience store before his afternoon shift, which is what he was doing Wednesday when a man tried to rob the cash register, according to WCVB. Tempesta was in the back of the Corner Mini Mart when a man entered the shop carrying a knife and threatened the store clerk, according to police.

"He's my friend. Always come here 2:00, 3:00," said Charlie Patel, convenience store clerk.

Tempesta drew his firearm and ordered the man to drop the knife. When the man, identified as 30-year-old Thomas Zekos, tried to run away, Tempesta tackled him.

Zekos was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.