Suspect in strong-arm robbery at store arrested

A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with a strong-arm robbery Monday, authorities said.

Police said officers responded at 12:18 p.m. to a grocery store in the 4000 block of San Pablo Avenue for a report of a robbery.

When officers arrived, they found a 20-year-old Richmond man who told them he had been texting a friend from his car while pumping gas at the store's gas station.

While he was texting, a newer-model red Honda Accord with temporary license plates approached. Its driver got out and opened the man's driverside door before demanding his cellphone.

When he hesitated, the other man reached toward his waistband and threatened to shoot him. Fearing he might be shot, he gave the man his cellphone, cash and jewelry. The man then drove away along Sycamore Avenue, police said.

Investigators recovered surveillance camera video footage of the incident and identified the vehicle before entering its license plate into the city's surveillance camera system.

Just over an hour later, an officer noticed a system hit for the car traveling east along Refugio Valley Road. Soon after, a patrol officer found the car parked outside Hercules High School in the 1900 block of Refugio Valley, about 2 miles away.

The driver was taken into custody, where the victim positively identified him and the vehicle. No gun was found, and the victim's property was not immediately located. No school activities on campus were disrupted, police said.

The suspect was taken to Martinez county jail on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and possession of stolen property. He was listed in custody and held in lieu of $70,000 bail, according to a county records check Monday night.