Police Arrest Man Suspected Of Robbing Martinez Walmart At Gunpoint Before Car Chase
MARTINEZ (CBS SF) -- Police arrested a 24-year-old man Tuesday morning after he allegedly robbed a Walmart in Martinez at gunpoint and then led officers on a vehicle pursuit, police said.
Martinez police received a call about an armed robbery at 10:53 a.m. at 1021 Arnold Drive, police said.
The suspect, identified by police as Michael Garcia, allegedly brandished a firearm in the store and demanded that a clerk give him money.
When the clerk complied, Garcia took the undisclosed amount of money and fled in a Jeep Wrangler that had a paper license plate, police said.
Responding officers saw the suspect vehicle as Garcia fled on eastbound state Highway 4, police said, and a pursuit was initiated.
After exiting the highway shortly thereafter, Garcia allegedly led the officers through Martinez streets before the pursuit came to an end in the 3900 block of Camino Del Sol in the unincorporated community of Vine Hill.
He had attempted to drive through fencing at the end of the dead-end street just outside Martinez, police said.
Police said Garcia tossed a handgun out of the vehicle before he was taken into custody. A large sum of cash was also recovered at the scene, police said.
Garcia was arrested on counts of robbery, evading and gun-related charges. Police said he also was on parole and faces a violation for that.
Police said he is believed to be responsible for another robbery of a Walmart in Tracy.
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