Page 2 - Rick Abagent News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

So i buzzed them in. >> reporter: that decision to buzz them in is something rick abath has had to live with for the past 23 years. >> the cop that was dealing with me turned to me and said, don't i know you, don't i recognize you? i think there is a warrant out for your arrest. can you step out from behind the desk. >> reporter: here rick makes another grave mistake. he steps away from the security desk and away from the panic button. his only way to contact the outside world. his only way to prevent what was about to happen. in a matter of minutes, the two thieves had both night watchmen com...

I know you, don't i recognize you? i think there is a warrant out for your arrest. can you step out from behind the desk. >> reporter: here rick makes another grave mistake. he steps away from the security desk and away from the panic button. his only way to contact the outside world. his only way to prevent what was about to happen. in a matter of minutes, the two thieves had both night watchmen completely under their control. >> he finished cuffing me, and he cuffed my partner and very dramatically said, "gentlemen, this is a robbery." >> reporter: the thieves lead rick and his partner down ...

>> reporter: at 2:41 a.m., the door to the museum opens and closes. the thieves were gone. >> once they leave, they were never heard from again. >> reporter: the next morning, rick was relieved to be found. and to be alive. but he knew almost immediately that he was a suspect. >> i knew i was. i mean, i opened up the door. you know? i mean -- once i sat -- sat down with the fbi, i think the first thing i said is what do you want to know? because i knew. i mean, i was like, well, i'm the guy who opened up the door. they're obviously going to be looking at me. >> reporter: the fbi certainly was ...