Subway customer tackles man he says assaulted, spit at employee

INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) - A Subway customer is being called a hero for saving an employee who was allegedly being assaulted. He tackled the suspect and held him until police arrived.

Gabriel Pitzulo works a couple blocks from a Subway on East Hanna Avenue on Indianapolis’ south side. The former wrestler and football player eats there a couple times a week, but his March 22 visit took a dramatic turn that was caught on camera.

“I felt obligated, man. I just acted, but I’m glad I did it,” Pitzulo said.

Upon his arrival at the store, Pitzulo allegedly saw Daniel Saunders verbally and physically assaulting a Subway employee.

“I had heard it from outside. I walked in, and he was visibly assaulting, throwing stuff. I believe I saw him spit at her, and how I was raised, you don’t do that stuff. It was kind of go time from there,” Pitzulo said.

Pitzulo tackled Saunders to the ground as he was trying to leave. He said he was afraid the man was going to get something to harm the employee.

“She didn’t seem like she could defend herself in any such way. … She had said that he had threatened to kill her. I did combat sports for quite a while, so I was completely controlling. I didn’t want to punch him or anything. I didn’t want to hurt him too bad. So, I just held him,” Pitzulo said.

Minutes later, police arrived and arrested Saunders. He was charged with one count of battery resulting in bodily injury.

Subway District Manager Aara Khan said he is grateful that someone was there to keep his employees safe.

“Luckily, he was here at the right time and the right place, and I’m very thankful that my employees weren’t damaged,” Khan said.

He’s calling Pitzulo a hero.

“Definitely a hero. You don’t have to be an ordinary person. You can be a hero anytime, anywhere, wherever you go,” Khan said.

But Pitzulo wouldn’t use the word “hero” to describe himself. He says he was just trying to do the right thing.

“All glory to God, for real. I don’t feel like a hero, but I’m glad I did it,” he said.

Saunders’ next hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday.

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