INDEPENDENCE, MO (KCTV) -
A man is behind bars facing robbery charges and police have several people to thank. The good Samaritans jumped into action while a convenience store was robbed.
Patrick J.E. Maze, 28, faces charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action.
According to court records, Maze was seen entering a 7-Eleven store on East 23rd Street in Independence late Thursday. Maze displayed a pocket knife and demanded money from a store employee. He ordered customers to the ground.
People outside the store, seeing what was happening inside, held the doors so Maze could not leave.
Witnesses said Maze chased customers in the store with the knife, including a man with his daughter. When Maze stood over the man acting as if he might stab him, witnesses said, one of the people holding the door shut, ran in and struck Maze with a bottle, while other customers threw items at him.
Maze fell to the ground and people kept him pinned down until police arrived.
Police generally discourage people from taking matters into their own hands in situations like this, but customers KCTV5's Alice Barr talked to said it's different when a life is in danger.
"If the situation warrants to stand back and keep away, then definitely do it. But like I said, if somebody's absolutely being threatened and they could possibly lose their life, I would definitely step in," Dale Davison said.
Prosecutors are asking Maze be held on a $250,000 cash bond.
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