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Robbery attempt caught on video, suspect arrested

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A group of co-workers helped catch the suspect of an attempted robbery outside an Orange County catering business and it was all caught on surveillance video.

The incident happened shortly after midnight Friday outside the Puff 'n Stuff catering business on Rio Drive in Eatonville. The entire incident was caught on Puff 'n Stuff's surveillance cameras.

"When I opened the door and he had the weapon pointed at my face, I was absolutely shocked," the victim, Steven Yakima, told WFTV.

According to police, the suspect, who was armed with a gun, confronted Yakima and demanded money. The victim fought back and yelled for his co-workers to come outside.

"I said no way, this ain't happening," Yakima said.

The suspect's gun went off during a struggle between Yakima and the suspect, but no one was injured. Yakima's co-workers heard the commotion and ran outside to help.

In the surveillance video, they can be seen trying to detain the suspect and fighting with him. The men were able to keep him on the ground until police arrived.

"I did not want to let him get away," Yakima said.

Yakima told WFTV he is thankful his co-workers jumped into action and helped him.

"If something happened to me, I would want someone to react as fast as I did," said co-worker Rodney Billingsley.

Police arrested the suspect, 21-year-old Alonzo Heard, and charged him with robbery, aggravated assault and battery, attempted murder, and drug possession.

At Heard's first appearance, a judge ordered him to be held on no bond.

"You can't take someone's money who works hard. We all work hard for money, go get a job and earn it," Billingsley said.