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STAFF REPORT

SARASOTA -- A customer tackled a man who was robbing a Sarasota pharmacy and held him until authorities arrived, according to the Sarasota Police Department.

According to police, Freddie F. Johnson, 65, of Sarasota, walked into the CVS at 2773 Fruitville Road on Sunday afternoon, implied he had a gun and demanded prescription drugs.

Jaanus Jurisoo walked up behind Johnson, grabbed him and pulled him to the floor, according to police. The incident was recorded by the store's security camera.

Johnson, who is charged with armed robbery, is also accused of robbing another pharmacy in February, police report.

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino acknowledges she has decidedly mixed feelings about Jurisoo and what he did Sunday — tackling an apparently armed man as he attempted to rob a CVS pharmacy.

While DiPino doesn’t recommend people take such actions because it can be dangerous, she also lauded Jurisoo’s “heroic actions” and commended him for being “such a great partner to the Sarasota Police Department.”

The video shows Jurisoo slowly walking up behind Johnson then in a flash taking him down to the ground with a choke hold.

“He scoped things out, waited for the right time to act, then took action,” DiPino said at an impromptu news conference today. “To me he’s a hero.”

DiPino said she intends to give Jurisoo a commendation from the department for his actions.

“It’s obvious he had some kind of training and is able to take care of himself,” the chief said. “I’m ready to hire this guy. He was impressive."