CVS manager tackles armed suspect in pharmacy robbery

A witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was standing in line at the store and heard someone behind him cock a gun.

He saw a man in a mask pointing a gun at the cashier. He said the assistant manager then came out and intervened, demanding that the cashier and customer be allowed to leave. The witness ran out and called 911.

"The assistant manager basically told the robber you have to let my employee and the customer get out of the store first, and he didn't want to," the witness said. "The manager actually got mad and told him we're going to talk one-on-one if you want the money."

The assistant manager then tackled the robber, was able to get the gun away from him.

The witness called 911 after the armed robbery, saying a suspect was taking off.

"He's running across the street. He's got a gun. I don't know what he's doing. Oh my gosh," he said.

An officer later arrested the pair during a traffic stop on the same street around midnight.

Anthony Denzel Burton, 25, is charged with conspiracy to robbery with a dangerous weapon and aiding and abetting an armed robbery. Christopher Terrel Purnell, 24, is charged with conspiracy to robbery with a dangerous weapon, aiding and abetting an armed robbery and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon.

One suspect went into the store during the robbery, and a second suspect was waiting in a car outside the pharmacy.

The men appeared in court Monday.

"The entire time the assistant manager was in control," the witness said. "He didn't let the robber dictate what we should do. He was very brave."

The witness said he has "no doubt" the assistant manager saved his life and appreciates his actions.