ELIZABETHTOWN -- The neighbor who tackled an alleged armed robber outside a Mineville drugstore has been honored by both the Essex County Board of Supervisors and the Moriah Town Council.

William Orr, co-owner of Didder's Tavern in Mineville, was getting ready for a benefit fish fry when he was told someone was calling for help at Hometown Pharmacy across the street.

Orr and two other men, Ward Hanchett and Michael McBride, rushed to the drugstore, where they found a robbery in progress.

The alleged robber, Joseph Budwick, 35, of Elizabethtown, ran out the rear door of the pharmacy and was tackled by Orr and held by the men until State Police arrived.

During ceremonies for Orr in Elizabethtown, Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) described what happened Saturday afternoon just after the pharmacy closed for the day.

"During this past weekend, a tragedy was avoided, thanks to men from the Town of Moriah."

He said the Didder's Tavern workers were preparing for the fish fry.

"They went out and saw a woman calling for help. Without hesitation, they responded. When they arrived, they saw a man struggling with the owner of the drugstore. He had a bag over the owner's head, trying to suffocate or strangle him."

Budwick had allegedly placed a plastic bag over the head of pharmacist Robert Corbo and struck clerk Carol Corbo in the face. It was Mrs. Corbo who yelled for help.

Scozzafava said Orr saw a man flee out the back.

"He caught the thief, tackled him to the ground. He held the suspect in place until the State Police arrived."

Budwick had allegedly displayed a knife during the holdup but had reportedly dropped it to carry bottles of codeine and Oxycontin as he ran.

"Mr. Orr disregarded his own safety to chase down the robber," Scozzafava said. "The robber was armed during the course of the robbery. They stopped a situation that would have escalated to tragedy without their assistance."

Budwick allegedly had on white latex gloves and a false mustache and goatee when he entered the pharmacy.

He was charged with felony first-degree robbery and is in the Essex County Jail.