Hunter
9/16/19
A transient who used a knife and baton in a convenience store robbery overnight has been arrested.
According to police, 29-year-old Alexander Torres entered the BP station on Lower Muscatine Road just before 2am Monday armed with a knife. He grabbed several items, including a Mountain Dew, three packs of Kool cigarettes, and a bag of Fun Yuns totaling a little over $27.
The clerk working at the time followed Torres outside. When he confronted Torres, he produced a baton measuring about two and a half feet long. The clerk grabbed the baton away from Torres, who then allegedly placed his hand on a holster that contained a knife. He did not unholster it, however.
The clerk gathered the stolen belongings and told Torres to leave. Police say Torres returned later to retrieve his bike. The clerk says Torres peered into the station and attempted to open the door, but was scared off by the clerk yelling at him. The clerk chased Torres as he called police, who found him hiding in a tree near the area the clerk last saw Torres. Police found the knife on Torres, while the clerk still had possession of the baton.
Torres was charged with first degree robbery and could get up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
