Just call him Pitzulo, the Protector of Sandwiches. Former high school wrestler Gabriel Pitzulo recently demonstrated his heroic tendencies after protecting a Subway cashier from an angry customer, and was rewarded handsomely for his efforts.



Visiting the Indianapolis store on his lunch break, Pitzulo walked in to see a customer assaulting the cashier by throwing something at her and spitting on her. Immediately, Pitzulo’s wrestling instincts kicked in, tackling the man to the ground as he moved toward the door, holding him there while other customers called the police and continuing to hold him down during the three minutes it took for police to arrive.


Talking to Fox News after the incident, Pitzulo said of the event, “It wasn’t cool,” adding that he and the suspect exchanged words during their tussle. Once police arrived, they let Pitzulo assist with the arrest, which seems unorthodox. According to Pitzulo, “The cops got there. I helped him put the cuffs on, and they thanked me and told me what I did was very brave.”


Pitzulo wants other young men to take something positive away from his experience, telling the media, “I haven’t really been turning down interviews because I do want to get this out there for the young men. There’s a lot of talk nowadays of toxic masculinity, and I’m really trying to, you know, push this narrative that you should stand up for the people, innocent people, people in your local neighborhood. And, you know, that’s kind of what I take from it.”


The assailant was charged with battery injury, battery resulting in bodily injury and disorderly conduct-fighting/tumultuous conduct, while Pitzulo has been rewarded with free subs for life. Far be it from me to encourage people to do good things on the off-chance they’re rewarded with free food for their efforts, but it can’t hurt, right?