News

Customer credited for stopping violent attempted robbery

WOBURN, Mass. — A good Samaritan is being credited for stopping a violent attempted robbery inside a local gas station.

Even though he ended up in the hospital, 27-year-old Chris Andreason said he didn't think twice about jumping the counter and tackling the suspected robber.

"Flew right in, jumped over the counter, grabbed my friend Alex got him pinned against the lottery and said give me the money," said Andreason. "It was pretty crazy. I was smashed into everything. The register was knocked over, there was crumpled money and blood all over the place."

Andreason said he was visiting with a friend who works at the Mobil Gas Station on Main Street in Woburn.

In the police report, that friend, "... stated that he was in fear for his life and for Mr. Andreason's."

The violent confrontation - according to Andreason - lasted for several minutes. He eventually got the unarmed suspect in a headlock.

"By the time I had him pinned to the ground, he started biting me, tried gouging my eyes to blind me to try to get away," said Andreason.

He still has an abrasion on his hand an bite marks on his pinky finger.

"He bit me pretty hard and that's when I stuck my finger up his gums to relieve the pressure because I was still restraining him with my legs and arms," said Andreason.

As he had the suspect pinned, he realized the two knew each other from when they were kids.

"During the incident before the police came he was kinda whining at me saying, 'Chris, it's Shane, it's Shane. He tried telling me his name afterward to try and let him go and I said, no not letting you go until police come," Andreason.

Both men were taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Shane O'Neil, 21, is charged with several counts, including assault and battery and unarmed robbery.
He was arraigned in court and pleaded not guilty. He will be back in court in April.