Bank robber in Spokane gets knuckle sandwich

The Associated Press

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Customers at a Bank of America branch on the South Hill tackled the would-be robber yesterday afternoon and held him for police.

"It was incredibly brave," Police Detective Brian Hamond said. "This happens very rarely."

Eric Lynn Heartburg, 43, allegedly walked into the bank with a handgun about 4 p.m. and demanded cash, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

The customer standing behind him felt threatened, and punched Heartburg, Cottam said.

Heartburg and the customer began wrestling, and other customers piled on and kicked the gun out of the would-be robber's hand, Hamond said.

When officers arrived, Heartburg was lying on the ground with a bloodied nose, Hamond said.

Heartburg, a registered sex offender in Spokane County, was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries, then booked into jail.

Heartburg is wanted on several warrants in Washington and California, and has 12 convictions in Spokane.

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