A former U.S. Army veteran is speaking in public for the first time regarding his dramatic actions to thwart an armed robbery ploy last year at a small German casino where he worked.
Elliot Montalvan, age 35, said that at first he thought somebody was trying to prank him when last summer, a man wearing a Batman mask, ski mask, gloves and scarf went into the gambling hall located in the small Bavarian town of Heidingsfeld, around 72 miles south of Frankfurt.
Amusement turned to alertness when he saw a gun and heard the man saying in German, "Give me the money. Let's go to the register."
It was at that point in time that Montalvan, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, said he knew he had to somehow do something in order to get things under control before anyone gets hurt. He said, "As he turned away from me, I saw my opportunity to try to take the revolver out of his hands."
Surveillance footage showed Montalvan pouncing on the would-be thief from behind and then they struggled on the floor. Montalvan said, "He went down with such a force that, I thought the robber was for a moment unconscious or shocked. I started pounding him with a closed palm."
The brawl ended when Montalvan did a wrestling hold, choking the robber until he lost consciousness. After checking the man's pulse, Montalvan put him facedown and asked his wife to call the police. He said, "I made sure he was rolled over on his side and face so we would not choke on his blood."
When the cops arrived, Montalvan went outside, held his hands up and knelt down, telling police he was not the suspect, "The only time I panicked was when the whole ordeal was over." Local German media reported the 48-year-old suspect has sustained broken cheekbones from the incident. Due to German privacy laws, the suspect remains unidentified to the public.
On January 30, 2018, the perpetrator was sentenced to 3 years and 3 months behind bars for attempted armed robbery. He was convicted thanks to the testimony made by Montalvan.
The ex-Arkansas soldier, who served in many infantry units during his Army service from 2004-2010 and was injured while deployed in Iraq leading him to have a 100% disability determination and therefore dismissed from service, said that he was actually not supposed to come in at work on the night of the robbery. He was covering for his wife, who had to stay home because their children were ill at that time. It was the very first time he filled in for his wife.
He said, "I never thought that what I learned could one day really save your life. I never realized it until this night."
Wow, well done to this guy and he really did show a great deal of bravery. I do not think that i would have been that brave in this situation and i hope he gets some kind of reward for his actions
Some times the training helps, like in this case. While he wasnt "obligated" to try and stop him, since the robber was armed and he was only an employee there, he actually did it. Well done for him.
But i completely disagree with his statement : "I never thought that what I learned could one day really save your life. I never realized it until this night." The only thing he did was risking his life, for nothing. He could have avoided the confrontation.
it was a very bad day for the criminal .... of course he did not expect that he would be resisted .... but it was all different ..... of course this man is very brave and desperate to confront the robber, but apparently he had an instinct and he did everything automatically .... the hero is real
It must have been a Michael Keaton wanna be under that Batman mask Lol I am glad he was stopped before he hurt anyone. I hope he get punished harshly in prison Hi batman, i'm bubba, you sure are a pretty little thing. come here batman lets you and me be friendly together. Lol
that yes and a hero who learned to do the same so that he was trained worse for the thief who was injured and did not get the player money hahahhahah that stop ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh
to be able to attack an armed individual you need to have a training proper because you can lose your life with such specimens. The risk is very high if the attacker is strong and knows a little bit of fighting. This man could risk his life in case the attacker was ready to shoot. Deserves praise for his courage and a reward i think.
Elliot Montalvan risked his own life to save others. A big salute to him for his courage and bravery. The 48-year-old perpetrator has been sentenced to 39 months in prison? I have no knowledge of criminal law in Germany, but the punishment seems lenient.
Ofcourse A former U.S. Army veteran they rock and will kick youre nuts iff you do a crime and they can cath u they will do that,..because the pros in handling stuff like this ore similar,.. Atleast they dont have fear ,..just another day in combat,. Respekt for the army and there veterans
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A former U.S. Army veteran is speaking in public for the first time regarding his dramatic actions to thwart an armed robbery ploy last year at a small German casino where he worked.
Lol
