In a dramatic takedown, a plainclothes Toronto police officer tackled a teenaged robber who held up an east-end bank on Tuesday morning. The youth had claimed to be armed with a pistol.

Police said the teen walked into the CIBC branch on Lawrence Avenue, near Victoria Park, at about 10:15 a.m. He walked into a manager's office, said it was a hold-up and demanded $150,000 in cash.

Over the next 50 minutes, staff brought over bundles of bills. Police said the robber made the manager count the cash, then argued that it wasn't enough and threatened to start hurting people if his demand wasn't met.

An employee sounded the silent alarm, and Emergency Task Force officers rushed to the scene.

Staff continued handing over large amounts of cash as heavily armed officers and snipers positioned themselves outside. The youth did not see Det. Const. Rob Armstrong, who was posing as a client, slip inside the bank, police said.

The youth then suddenly got up, stuffed the money into his backpack and left. He was apparently unaware the bank was surrounded with police when he left, ETF Staff Insp. Dave Marks told reporters at the scene.

As the robber walked out the front door, he was taken down from behind by Armstrong. Tactical officers swarmed in and pounced on the teen.

The youth was arrested and taken into custody. He is charged with robbery and forcible confinement. Police did not find a gun.

Employees shaken up

Some of the employees and customers inside during the bank were shaken up by the incident, and were seen comforting each other after the ordeal was over. Police said no one was injured.

Angelo, the husband of one teller named Nella, rushed to the bank after he learned of the robbery. After the ordeal, the couple embraced outside the bank.

"This is probably one of the worst days of our lives," Angelo said. "But (in other ways), it was one of the best moments. We've been married 15 years. It was quite touching, it was great to get to hold her again."

He said his wife has suffered through three bank holdups, but this was the first time she cried out of fear. Nella didn't want to speak to reporters, but Angelo said it was the most frightening experience of her life.

The officer who tackled the robber, meanwhile, told CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin his actions were not heroic, and that he was simply doing his job. He said it was a good team effort by police.

One man watching the robbery from outside the bank said it looked like a scene from a movie.

"I saw all the police coming around, the tactical force started getting into motion, I saw the sharp shooter," the man said.

"Then all of a sudden the police started moving across the parking lot and then 'boom,' they went in and got the guy as soon as he walked out the door, so that was a relief."

With reports from CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin and Austin Delaney