Manhunt ends in Somerton

Jesse Ramos Teposte, wanted by police in connection with an armed robbery in Yuma, was arrested Friday evening in Somerton.

Teposte, 24, allegedly robbed the Raspados Arco Iris Snack Bar, 1225 W. 8th St., Suite C, with a handgun Thursday afternoon. He fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash and entered a white 1996 Nissan Altima driven by a woman that police have declined to identify. She was arrested a short time later, but Teposte escaped.

On Thursday, the Yuma Police Department received a tip the fugitive was hiding in an apartment in Somerton near the intersection of State and George streets. YPD, with the aid of the Cocopah Police Department, Somerton Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Marshal's Office, began surveillance of the property.

At about 6:20 p.m., officers in the area saw Teposte leave the apartment and try to flee on foot. A police dog chased down the fugitive and pounced on him, keeping him subdued long enough for officers to catch up and handcuff him.

Wounded by the dog during the scuffle, Teposte was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center to receive treatment. Once doctors release Teposte from the hospital, he will be transported to the Yuma County Detention Center and booked.

He faces a felony charge of armed robbery in addition to other unrelated felony charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault and obstruction of a criminal investigation that stem from a domestic violence case.

YPD thanked the public for assistance in locating Teposte and encourages anyone with any further information about the case to call 783-4421, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

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