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Caught On Video: Elderly Man Turns Table On Robbers

Orlando police released new video Tuesday of when an ex-Marine turned the tables on some robbers. The 69-year-old recognized their gun as a fake and stopped them from robbing a Walgreens on North Lane in Orlando.

The Marine thought he was just in for a quick trip to the drug store, but he found himself in the middle of a robbery, a robbery he stopped.

Surveillance video shows the two men walk up to a Walgreens counter. They buy a few things and then, out come the gun and demands for cash. But Emmit Helmly's keen eye saw something the clerk didn't.

"My reaction was shoot, I knew it was a fake gun," Helmly said.

Helmly is an ex-Marine and the military principles of "duty, honor, country" came out. Video shows him grab the crooks and push them away from the counter.

"I saw what was gong on and I caught the guy in a bear hug," Helmly said.

The thugs made off, but not before getting a good beating from Helmly, who was only slightly injured. But the crooks may think again before trying to steal money from a store.

"I can't say I was brave. I can say it was stupid. But I can recognize that's not real," Helmly said.

Police were hoping that by releasing the video, somebody will call in a tip that'll help them catch the crooks.
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