MMA-trained teen subdues ax-wielding suspect at Florida car wash caught on video
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A Florida man allegedly charged toward two teenage brothers who were blocking a car wash in Ocala Sunday night and was then quickly tackled by his older brother, an 18-year-old MMA-trained military recruit.
In the video released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, later identified as Bryce Thayer, 36, allegedly approached car wash workers Leodan Pino, 18, and his 16-year-old brother as the night was closing.
Authorities said Thayer “became irate” when told to leave the property and approached the brothers in a “threatening manner” with the axe.
“I was locking all the doors and I heard some screaming, someone yelling something,” Pino said. FOX 35 Orlando. “He’s obviously not in the right mind. … He walks towards the tunnel and that’s when I tell him, ‘You’ve got to go, man. You’ve got to go’.”
Bryce Thayer is accused of threatening employees with an axe. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
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That’s when Thayer allegedly pulled out an ax from his backpack and pointed it at him, Pino said.
In the footage, Pino can be seen lunging at Thayer as his younger brother pulls the ax away from him.
“When he came down, that’s when I got the takedown, got on top of him and took control of the situation,” said Pino, who has trained in mixed martial arts (MMA). “Once I realized he wasn’t letting go, I threw him a few elbows until he was incapacitated. … I put him on his back, put him in a body triangle, did a rear-naked choke and waited until the cops got there.”
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Thayer’s mugshot showed heavy bruises allegedly sustained during the struggle.
Pino, who recently enlisted in the military, said Thayer “got what he deserved.”
A search during Thayer’s subsequent arrest revealed a glass pipe used for methamphetamine, according to the sheriff’s office.
He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records. He is being held on $11,000 bond.
In the video released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect allegedly approaches two car wash workers. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
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Jail records reviewed by the Fox News Digital show Thayer has been arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office four times since May 2024 on the following charges:
- Crime of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription
- A crime of possession of a controlled substance in a detention facility.
- property damage
- Petty larceny
- Trespass after warning
- possession of marijuana
- Possession of two drugs
“I am very grateful that God gave me this opportunity and the strength to control this situation,” Pino said.
“I’m grateful that I was the one who approached my brother and no one else because I’m not really sure if any of my co-workers would have done the same thing I did,” she said. “I’m glad I could protect my brother.”
