Palms MetroPCS store owner fends off, helps nab would-be robber

PALMS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A MetroPCS store owner in Palms fended off a would-be robber for hours after the man tried to attack him with a Taser.

"For two hours, 45 minutes, I was on top of him, trying to survive," describes Michael Nathan.

The suspect, identified by police as 56-year-old Michael Shorter, walked into the MetroPCS store in the 9600 block of Venice Boulevard Friday night, pretending to buy a cellphone.

Surveillance footage shows Shorter attacking Nathan with a Taser, which failed. The two are seen wrestling each other to the ground.

"He wanted to take all my money if he could, but it failed," Nathan said.

Nathan was able to tackle Shorter and hold him down for nearly three hours.

"I managed to get on top of him and hold him for hours before police made their move," Nathan said.

Nathan said Shorter initially told him he had a gun. So during the entire episode, Nathan was fearing for his life, thinking he might be shot.

During the hours-long struggle, Nathan said Shorter told him he was a heroin addict and wanted money for drugs.

After repeatedly trying to get free, Shorter threw his back out. That's when Nathan made his move, running out the front door.

Shorter eventually crawled his way out of the store, right into police custody. He was placed behind bars to face a long list of charges. Nathan said he's just grateful he escaped with his life.