GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A burglar who was held at gunpoint by an employee until police arrived was sentenced to one year in jail.
Eric Elm pleaded no contest Friday to burglary and obstruction for the April 28 incident at Frost Giant Games in Ashwaubenon, court records show.
The business owner, Anthony Folk, told FOX 11 at the time that he and two of his employees were just blocks away at a fast-food restaurant.
That’s when his fiancée called him and said she saw someone inside the business. She was notified via surveillance NEST video. Folk then arrived and turned on the lights to check for people.
Folk got to the back of the hallway he saw a person wearing a black hoodie and backpack. Folk chased the person who was eventually able to get outside.
“I just acted on instinct,” said Folk.
Folk and that employee, who is a concealed carry permit holder, rushed to the business. Folk said he’s not ready to share the security video, but told FOX 11 how the events unfolded.
The employee waited outside for the suspect with a gun while Folk searched inside for the suspect.
The suspect was attempting to run to a vehicle parked nearby when he was stopped by the concealed carry permit holder.
“(He) pulled his gun out on him and (said), ‘get down on the ground, you’re under arrest’ — citizen’s arrest, basically,” recalled Folk.
Folks says the man quickly got on the ground and asked them not to shoot.
Police arrived within minutes and the man was taken into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, $130 was found underneath a nearby car. The employees said they saw him taking the money out of his pocket.
Ashwaubenon Public Safety applauded the employees actions.
“We’re very satisfied with what happened,” said Ashwaubenon Public Safety Capt. Jody Crocker. “The situation here was that the burglar could’ve gotten away. The concealed carry holder did exactly what he should do. This was a felony in progress. He also complied with officers as soon as they arrived and did everything right,”
“Conceal carry holders are trained on how and when to use their weapons, and this outcome could not have gone better,” said Crocker.
