YPD seeking armed and dangerous suspect after robbery

A manhunt is under way for a suspect in an armed robbery Thursday afternoon. The Yuma Police Department considers him armed and dangerous.

Police said at about 2:09 p.m., 24-year-old Jesse Ramos Teposte entered the Raspados Arco Iris Snack Bar, 1225 W. 8th St., Suite C, and robbed the store. There were no injuries reported as a result of the crime.

Teposte then fled the store and entered a white Nissan Altima driven by a woman whom police declined to identify.

No information about what was allegedly taken during the robbery was available as of press time Thursday because investigators could not be reached for comment.

A short time after the robbery, police discovered the Altima in the 1100 block of South 8th Avenue. They cordoned off the area and arrested the driver. However, Teposte was able to flee before being arrested.

"We know that car was used, and we know she was the driver," said Sgt. Leanne Worthen, YPD public information officer.

Police then requested help from the Arizona Department of Corrections, which sent a team of trained trackers to the area where the car was found.

"We did have some … bloodhounds that came in from (DOC) to assist," Worthen said. "We were trying to get a scent so we could find him."

The dogs eventually led police to a home at 1151 W. 11th St.

"When they got there … they found a vacant residence," Worthen said. "It made good sense for us to take a look at that area, and that’s what they did. They went into make sure nobody was in there. He wasn’t there."

After a YPD Special Enforcement Team cleared the home, police continued to search for Teposte in the surrounding area.

At about 8:30 p.m., police received information leading them to a residence at 1420 S. 12th Drive.

When police arrived, a man began to "run from us," Worthen said, noting he was not Teposte. "He is detained right now and is probably going to face charges of misdemeanor trespass because he was jumping through yards."

Police determined Teposte was not in the home.

"We are still investigating," Worthen said. "We are still getting information. It may lead us to somewhere else."

Before the alleged burglary Thursday, a felony warrant had already been issued for Teposte’s arrest. Police were seeking him in connection with an incident involving kidnapping, aggravated assault and obstruction of a criminal investigation in relation to a domestic violence case, Worthen said.

The search will remain active until Teposte is found and arrested, Worthen added. "We are still looking for him. We still want the public’s help. If they see him or have any information, give us a call."

YPD encourages anyone with any information about Teposte to call 373-4700, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Worthen cautioned those who may come across Teposte not to approach him but to inform police immediately. "If somebody sees him, be very careful. He is dangerous and we don’t want anybody getting hurt."

Teposte is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build. He has very short black hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a gray hat, a long gray shirt and gray shorts.

He has several tattoos, including "Most" on the right forearm, "Hated" on the left forearm and "Josefina" on the right arm.

Teposte has been convicted of numerous crimes in Yuma County. While on probation in July 2008, he brandished a weapon and resisted Yuma County sheriff’s deputies as they tried to arrest him during a traffic stop. He fled the scene on foot and later escaped to Mexico.

In August 2008, Teposte was arrested by Mexican police in San Luis Rio Colorado, Son. He was later taken into custody at the San Luis port of entry by U.S. marshals with the aid of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.