Citizen Applies NFL Tackle On Fleeing Robbery Suspect

There are super heroes lurking everywhere without our knowledge.

Roger Onstott Courtesy: Onstott family

(HAPPY VALLEY, Ore.) - Clackamas County Sheriff's patrol deputies responded to a reported robbery that occurred at the entrance to the Bank of America, located at 12028 SE Sunnyside Road in Happy Valley this afternoon at 4:02 PM.

Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas Sheriff's Office, says a patrol sergeant arrived on the scene just in time to witness a citizen chasing a masked subject on foot fleeing through a parking lot near the bank.

"This pursuing citizen tackled the robbery suspect – NFL STYLE – on the pavement and held the robbery suspect until deputies were able to come to his aid," Strovink said.

This "heroic effort and apprehension" of the robbery suspect was conducted by 50-year old William Roger Onstott of Happy Valley, according to Strovink.

"Onstott arrived at the bank in his automobile moments prior to witnessing the robbery event unfold in front of him and chased the suspect on foot across the parking lot prior to his NFL game saving tackle apprehension."

Deputies on scene say the victim, 53-year old Michele L. Galarneaux of Clackamas, had just arrived at the bank and in the process of walking to the main entrance of the bank while carrying a bank bag in her hand.

That's when a masked man reportedly lunged and thrust Galarneaux into a concrete pillar. Strovink says he stepped on her hand while wrenching the bank bag from her grasp, prior to fleeing on foot.

Onstott told Salem-News.com that he was just leaving a veterinarian where his dog had undergone surgery, when he heard the commotion.

"He knocked her up against the wall, my instinct kicked into gear, especially because she really sounded like she was hurt," Onstott said.

20-year old Chas Lombardo, of Newberg

"We hit the car pretty hard and I dove on him. He didn't try to get up, he knew it was over."

The woman who was attacked received injuries according to Strovink.

"The force of this attack caused injuries to her nose, chest and hand which required Galarneaux to be transported to Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital, in Clackamas," he said.

Wendy Onstott is Roger's wife. She said she was shocked over what happened, but relieved that her husband was OK.

"It took me aback, I didn't know he had it in him. Apparently the young man just gave up immediately after Roger tackled him."

With pride in her voice she said, "He's a hero."

Roger said it all happened very fast. His wife says he was feeling the results of the encounter but was OK.

"He has a very sore toe, they flew headlong into the car. It was probably a hard lesson for the young man, I hope he learns from it."

The car that the men crashed into received damage according to both Strovink and Onstott. "As I was standing with the police, I glanced over and thought 'man that is a pretty big dent.'"

Onstott played baseball in school instead of football, but that sure didn't affect his tackling abilities.

"It was a once in a lifetime type thing. I'm glad the lady is OK too, definitely."

The suspect is identified as 20-year old Chas William Lombardo, of Newberg. Lombardo was handcuffed at the scene and transported to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, north station, for an interview with a robbery detective. It is reasonable to assume this suspect will be lodged into the Clackamas County Jail later in the evening for the related charge of robbery.