Bond set at $200K for robbery suspect
Yuma police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with Thursday night’s armed robbery of the Family Dollar Store, located at 2298 W. 8th St.
When officers responded to the scene at about 5 p.m., they were told that a man wearing a mask entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded money from a cashier. He then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect was identified as Joel Lara, and he was spotted a short time later in the area riding a bicycle. He was arrested after a foot pursuit by responding officers, and booked into the Yuma County jail, police said.
There were no reported injuries in the incident and the case is still under investigation.
Lara, who was on parole at the time, made his initial appearance in Yuma Justice Court on Friday afternoon before Justice of the Peace Greg Stewart, who informed him of the allegations against him.
He listened as the judge read the charges the Yuma Police Department has brought against him, including two counts of armed robbery.
Other allegations include aggravated assault, possession or use of a weapon in a drug offense, robbery and threatening and intimidating.
“I found there is probable cause to detain you,” Stewart told Lara.
Stewart also explained to Lara that the county attorney’s office had until Tuesday to review the case and decide whether to file a criminal complaint against him, charging him with any of the offenses.
He continued by saying if no criminal complaint was filed against him, he would be released. If a complaint was filed, however, he would be provided with a copy of it when he returns to court.
Stewart set Lara’s bond at $200,000 and cautioned him that if were able to make bail before his next hearing, and did not appear, a warrant would be issued for his arrest.
YPD encourages anyone with any information about this case to call them at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.