Praying robber turns self in after mom sees him on TV

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Police said a robber that has gained nationwide notoriety turned himself in after his mother spotted him in surveillance video that aired on 24-Hour News 8 Monday night.

"This whole robbery deal was pretty strange. I've been on 27 years and never seen nothing like this," said IMPD Lt. Jeff Duhamell.

It all unfolded about 3:30 Monday afternoon at Advance America's payday loan location in the 9400 block of East Washington Street.

• Read the police report describing the incident

In the video, the suspect brandishes a gun telling Advance America worker Angela Montez times are hard and he has no choice.

When she starts to cry, he hugs her. Then she begins talking to him about God and the two of them pray together.

She described the episode later to a 911 operator -- Listen to the 911 entire call by clicking on the video link in the left corner of the story. Note: the recording has been shortened for time purposes.

"I started crying and praying and telling him don't do this. He's too young to throw away his life. He talked to me a little bit, and maybe after 15 minutes he took the gun out and started crying again," Montez told the operator.

Montez said that she and Smith were both crying as he held the weapon. Montez told the 911 operator what happened next.

"He put it away for a minute then he took it out again. And he took the bullet out of the gun and said, 'I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm not gonna hurt you,'" Montez said.

In the video, the suspect hugs her, but later forces her to go to the bathroom as he takes $20 and her cell phone. As he left, the surveillance camera captured a clear picture of his face.

24-Hour News 8 aired the video on Monday evening newscasts.

"After his mother saw him, she contacted him and he basically turned himself in," said Lt. Duhamell.

The daughter of Angela Montez, the Advance America worker, said Montez was too shaken to speak with 24-Hour News 8.

At the home of the Gregory Smith, a woman refused to open the door, claiming she didn't know Smith.

Smith is being held without bond facing felony gun and robbery charges. Police said he was already on probation for theft.