A Long Beach man is asking friends and neighbors to help out a local hero who took on an armed and dangerous bank robber last week.
Los Angeles County Firefighter Tim Howell was so moved by the action taken by Long Beach resident Rich Camp during Friday's take-over style robbery at the Los Altos Farmers and Merchant's Bank that Howell decided Wednesday to send out an e-mail blast to everyone he knows.
"(Camp) was at the F&M Bank in Long Beach last week when it was robbed by a gunman (who) was wanted by the FBI for at least 8 other bank robberies. Rich, along with another bank customer took the bad-guy down, but was shot in the leg during the ordeal," Howell wrote.
"After reading about his unselfish act, I decided to call Rich to have him do some work on my house. Unfortunately, at this time, he is unable to work due to his injury. But, in my short 15 (minute) conversation, I discovered that this is a very proud man with a wonderfully positive attitude. I asked him if he needed any help around his house in any way, with anything, but he gratefully declined, thankful for the gesture," Howell added.
Howell said Wednesday he was moved by a story in the Press-Telegram Tuesday in which Camp recalled the day of the robbery.
"I'm a firefighter and when something like this happens to one of our own we all do what we can to help," Howell explained.
Howell is hoping that he can help line up some good business for Camp once the married father of a 3-year-old girl is well enough to work. Howell is also hoping his efforts might lead to a reward for the man who has been lauded as a hometown hero.
So far, none of the banks believed to have been robbed by Lockwood have offered a reward, according to the FBI.
Camp was the first of two witnesses to try and stop the alleged gunman, Robert Gordon Lockwood, Friday morning.
Witnesses said Lockwood stormed the bank dressed in motorcycle leathers with two guns and several magazines filled with ammunition strapped to a vest.
Lockwood had pulled out a gun and pinned Camp against the counter dividing tellers from customers. When Camp tried to back away Lockwood became even more angry and irrational.
When Lockwood eventually turned his back towards Camp and started to vault over the counter, Camp grabbed Lockwood from behind and Lockwood began firing his gun into the air, over one shoulder and between his legs.
Hit in the volley of gunfire was the suspect, Camp and another bank customer, described as an older woman.
All three were expected to survive, police said.
"(Camp) is the nicest guy. I'm glad to have someone like him in my neighborhood and I think he deserves something for his sacrifice," Howell said Wednesday.
Howell encouraged anyone planning on doing any construction work to call Camp at his home-based business, Sequoia Construction, at 562-429-5586.
"I encourage all of you to at least give Rich a call to offer your support and thanks for his heroic actions. He told me that there are some blogs out there that (have) condemned his actions. This is the last thing a man in his position needs to think," Howell wrote.
Camp's neighbor also urged people to call the bank and ask that it consider a reward for Camp, and for another customer -- David Jones -- who helped Camp disarm the gunman and hold him until police arrived.
Los Angeles County Firefighter Tim Howell was so moved by the action taken by Long Beach resident Rich Camp during Friday's take-over style robbery at the Los Altos Farmers and Merchant's Bank that Howell decided Wednesday to send out an e-mail blast to everyone he knows.
"(Camp) was at the F&M Bank in Long Beach last week when it was robbed by a gunman (who) was wanted by the FBI for at least 8 other bank robberies. Rich, along with another bank customer took the bad-guy down, but was shot in the leg during the ordeal," Howell wrote.
"After reading about his unselfish act, I decided to call Rich to have him do some work on my house. Unfortunately, at this time, he is unable to work due to his injury. But, in my short 15 (minute) conversation, I discovered that this is a very proud man with a wonderfully positive attitude. I asked him if he needed any help around his house in any way, with anything, but he gratefully declined, thankful for the gesture," Howell added.
Howell said Wednesday he was moved by a story in the Press-Telegram Tuesday in which Camp recalled the day of the robbery.
"I'm a firefighter and when something like this happens to one of our own we all do what we can to help," Howell explained.
Howell is hoping that he can help line up some good business for Camp once the married father of a 3-year-old girl is well enough to work. Howell is also hoping his efforts might lead to a reward for the man who has been lauded as a hometown hero.
So far, none of the banks believed to have been robbed by Lockwood have offered a reward, according to the FBI.
Camp was the first of two witnesses to try and stop the alleged gunman, Robert Gordon Lockwood, Friday morning.
Witnesses said Lockwood stormed the bank dressed in motorcycle leathers with two guns and several magazines filled with ammunition strapped to a vest.
Lockwood had pulled out a gun and pinned Camp against the counter dividing tellers from customers. When Camp tried to back away Lockwood became even more angry and irrational.
When Lockwood eventually turned his back towards Camp and started to vault over the counter, Camp grabbed Lockwood from behind and Lockwood began firing his gun into the air, over one shoulder and between his legs.
Hit in the volley of gunfire was the suspect, Camp and another bank customer, described as an older woman.
All three were expected to survive, police said.
"(Camp) is the nicest guy. I'm glad to have someone like him in my neighborhood and I think he deserves something for his sacrifice," Howell said Wednesday.
Howell encouraged anyone planning on doing any construction work to call Camp at his home-based business, Sequoia Construction, at 562-429-5586.
"I encourage all of you to at least give Rich a call to offer your support and thanks for his heroic actions. He told me that there are some blogs out there that (have) condemned his actions. This is the last thing a man in his position needs to think," Howell wrote.
Camp's neighbor also urged people to call the bank and ask that it consider a reward for Camp, and for another customer -- David Jones -- who helped Camp disarm the gunman and hold him until police arrived.
i thinkwhat the "hero" did was a major mistake with the right intentions..... he could have gotten alot of people hurt or even shot.... in all other bank roberries by the suspect no one was shot nor hurt.... he simply wanted the cash (which is fdic insured). bank employees are trained for this type of situation and the police were more than likely already on there way..... i dont think camp is a hero i think hes a guy who wanted to help just in the wrong way....