Metro employee honored for helping subdue suspect armed with gun on Green Line train

WASHINGTON - A veteran Metro worker who helped subdue an armed robbery suspect on a train said she didn't think twice about getting involved. She just knew she wasn't going to sit there and let something bad happen.

"When I did finally tell my family members, they were like, 'Good job mom. Just thank God that you're okay,'" said Pamela Rhone.

On Monday, the Metro station manager received a certificate of valor from her employer for her quick thinking and bravery.

Last Saturday afternoon, Rhone, a 10-year employee of the transit system, and her co-worker subdued an armed man.

"Once we realized the guy did have a weapon, that's when my co-worker just pinned him down while I was contacting [Metro Transit Police]," said Rhone. "We knew at that time, we couldn't let him get away simply because of what he could have done to me, my co-worker, customers on the train."

Metro's surveillance video captured the 20-year-old suspect at around 4 p.m. Saturday on the Anacostia station platform.

Police say he robbed someone on the platform of $40 and then hopped onto a Green Line train heading into the city. He entered the same railcar as Rhone and her male co-worker.

She said they noticed something happening involving the suspect and they moved in to help.

"He said he had a cell phone a couple of times, then he did admitted he had a gun," said Rhone.

After contacting Metro Transit Police, officers arrested Rondez Tibbs. Police say he was on probation after pleading guilty to charges related to an armed robbery earlier this year.

"I'm feeling pretty good right now," Rhone said. "I'm just glad it happened the way it did and it didn't happen no other way."

Tibbs has been charged with armed robbery and carrying a pistol without a license.