Man arrested in violent liquor store robbery
GILROY >> A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of firing a shot at a liquor store clerk during an armed robbery in Gilroy on Monday morning, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Joseph Eric Perez, walked into Paul’s Liquors at 9305 Monterey St. about 9:40 a.m. and brandished a handgun, according to Gilroy police. Perez then allegedly ordered the clerk to give him the money in the cash register.
Police said Perez pushed and hit the clerk several times, as well as turned and fired at the clerk as he left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash. The shot missed the clerk.
A witness followed Perez as he drove away from Paul’s Liquors and provided a partial license plate number to authorities, according to police. The information helped police identify Perez as a suspect.
Police said Perez drove to San Jose and parked near Santa Clara and Sixth streets. San Jose officers arrested him after they spotted the Hyundai and noticed several bullet casings below the windshield.
A search of the Hyundai turned up a firearm and other evidence linking Perez to the armed robbery, according to police.
Perez, a documented gang member and registered narcotics offender, was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of attempted murder, armed robbery and a felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held without bail at the Main Jail in San Jose and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court on Wednesday, according to online jail records.