Shoplifting suspect was already in custody

The alleged shoplifter who became involved in a scuffle with Hastings employees has been located. Turns out, he was already in jail.

According to Sgt. Leanne Worthen, spokeswoman for the Yuma Police Department, at about 8 a.m. Friday, a Yuma County Detention Center staff member called to report they had someone in custody who looked like the suspect in the Hastings case.

Anthony Vasquez, 45, “was being held on unrelated charges,” Worthen said. Worthen did not have any information about why or when he had been arrested.

Officers sent to the county jail confirmed that Vasquez was the suspect they had been looking for.

Vasquez is now also being held on charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, endangerment and theft.

At about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday Yuma police responded to Hastings, 2820 S. 4th Ave., for a report of a shoplift in progress with a knife.

Upon arrival, officers were told that Hasting employees had tried to stop the suspect. During the struggle, he reportedly pulled out a knife and then fled west on his bicycle.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.