Suspect nabbed after Chevron robbery

A Yuma gas station was robbed Monday morning after the suspect allegedly physically restrained the female clerk.

But the suspect was quickly apprehended by officers, said a police spokesman, thanks in part to the quick thinking of a witness.

Officers with the Yuma Police Department arrested 47-year-old Joe Miranda Martinez on robbery and other related charges after he allegedly entered the Chevron store at 1825 S. 4th Ave. around 10:30 a.m. Monday and restrained the female clerk, who suffered minor injuries.

YPD spokesman Sgt. Clint Norred said no weapons or simulated weapons were used.

According to a news release from YPD, Martinez stole an undisclosed amount of money and fled in a nearby parked vehicle.

An attentive witness provided the license plate number of the vehicle, according to the release. YPD detectives located Martinez in the 900 block of South 1st Avenue about 20 minutes after the crime.

Norred said the witness was able to provide crucial information that helped speed up the process. He said they encourage people to not dismiss it if they see something unusual.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to get that plate," said Norred.

That and other details are information that can definitely help police in their investigation, he said.

Martinez was detained and booked into the Yuma County Adult Detention Center Monday on allegations of robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping and threats. That afternoon, Martinez appeared in Yuma Justice Court, where Justice of the Peace David Cooper set Martinez's bond at $404,875.

His next court date is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to call YPD at 783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.