Auburn armed robbery suspect sought

Auburn, Calif.- A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of an armed man who robbed an Auburn gas station early Tuesday morning. The suspect also bound the hands of a newspaper delivery woman who unwittingly interrupted the robbery.

A close-up photograph of the suspect was obtained today by Placer County Sheriff’s detectives and shows the white male, who appears to be 18-25 years old, as he exits the Chevron station at 13381 Lincoln Way in Auburn. He wore a striped beanie over shoulder-length blond hair. He is described as about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He had on a red T-shirt and a black camouflage jacket.

The robbery occurred at 2:22 a.m. when the suspect approached the male clerk inside the store and pulled out a silver semi-automatic handgun. He pointed the weapon at the clerk and forced him to the front counter and told him to empty the cash register.

As the clerk was complying with the suspect’s demands, a woman delivering newspapers walked into the store, not realizing what was happening. The suspect walked up to the woman, forced her behind the counter, and then proceeded to tape her hands together. The suspect then grabbed the money and fled to his dark-colored pickup truck, which had been parked at the gas pumps. The truck had a chrome grill and chrome lining over the wheel wells. He fled northbound on Lincoln Way. 

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity is urged to contact Detective Mike Simmons at (530) 889-7894. To remain anonymous and be eligible for up to $1,000 in reward money, call Placer County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-923-8191.