Apex Walgreen's customer stabbed while stopping robber

Zachery Lewis Erlemann, 20, of 110 Christofle Lane, was charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injuries, first-degree kidnapping and two counts of second-degree kidnapping.

Becky Meekins, Mike Weaver and his fiancé, Marchele Jones, were about to leave the drugstore when Erlemann forced them to the pharmacy in the back of the store.

"This dude just pushed me on the shoulder and said, 'Go to the back,'" Jones said. "I am huffing like he is joking around. I did not believe it."

She said Erlemann was covering his face with a T-shirt, wearing gloves and clutching a knife. 

Weaver kept a close eye on Erlemann, waiting for an opportunity to subdue him.

"I wasn't scared or mad or anything," Weaver said. "I was calm."

When Erlemann looked away for moment, Weaver said, he seized his chance.

"I came around with my right hand and hit him in the nose," Weaver said. "He hit the ground and I kept hitting him in the face."

In the struggle, Weaver suffered a stab wound to his arm. Erlemann stumbled out of the store with a broken nose, police said.

He was arrested about a block from the store.

Despite the possible danger, Weaver said his choice was easy.

"If my family is in danger, I am going to fight for it," he said.