Retired NYC police officer shoots, wounds Garfield robbery suspect

A retired New York City police detective shot and wounded a robbery suspect in New Jersey. Carlos Ramos says his instincts he learned while working the narcotics division in Queens kicked in when a

News 12 Staff

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Oct 22, 2016, 6:29 AM

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Updated 3,007 days ago

A retired New York City police detective shot and wounded a robbery suspect in New Jersey.

Carlos Ramos says his instincts he learned while working the narcotics division in Queens kicked in when a would-be robber walked into the Tobacco Road store in Garfield Thursday night.

Ramos was working inside the store with owner Milan Kothari and Kothari's wife and son. He says that a masked man wearing a hoodie walked in with a handgun and announced that he was robbing the store.

"I grabbed his hands to try to disarm him, and he pushed me away," Ramos says. "I fell on the ground, he came towards me and when he came towards me I was able to use my handgun and stop him."

Ramos says he shot the suspect in the lower extremities.

The retired officer called Garfield police after the shooting. Officers were able to locate 27-year-old Louis Pizzi, of Hasbrouck Heights, with a gunshot wound to the leg, nearby.

Officers who searched the area were also able to find clothing that Pizzi allegedly discarded after the attempted robbery, as well as the handgun he apparently used, according to officials.

Kothari says Ramos saved the day and his family by knowing exactly what to do in the situation.

"You have to go with the flow, you have to see...what kind of moment you are in," he says. "If you have to give the money, give the money and just stay quiet."

Pizzi's bail was set at $500,000. He was charged with armed robbery and weapons offenses, and is scheduled to make a first appearance in court Monday.

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.