Jesus Gonzalez, 28, was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery at 11:03 p.m. on March 22 outside of Union 76 gas station on Manchester Avenue.
Around 10:30 p.m. the victim was fueling his car. Gonzalez approached and asked for the victim’s cellphone. The victim refused and went inside the gas station. When the victim returned, he saw one of his tires was flat, according to sheriff’s Lt. Dan Brislin.
The victim moved his car to a nearby air pump station, and once again Gonzalez advanced. Gonzalez opened the victim’s door and looked through his property. After being confronted by the victim, Gonzalez pulled out a knife and threatened bodily harm.
Gonzalez used the same knife to puncture all of the victim’s tires. Then Gonzalez grabbed the victim, placed the knife to the victim’s abdomen and demanded his wallet. Fearing for his life, the victim complied, and Gonzalez temporarily distanced himself, Brislin said.
Within minutes, three Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene and were confronted by Gonzalez. Despite the deputies’ instructions, Gonzalez began walking toward the victim in a threatening manner. At that point, the deputies used a Taser to take Gonzalez into custody, Brislin said.
“It was over relatively quickly,” Brislin said. “Deputies were not harmed.”
Gonzalez was later transported to Vista Jail, where in addition to alleged armed robbery, Gonzalez was also booked on suspicion of felony vandalism and for being under the influence of drugs.
Brislin said deputies searched Gonzalez and found a pipe, the type of which is commonly used for smoking methamphetamine.
