Person of Interest Identified as Paso Robles PD Investigates 2 Armed Robberies

On Wednesday night, November 24 at approximately 10:15 PM, PRPD officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at Carl’s Jr on Black Oak Drive. Through the investigation officers learned that the suspect fled the business without stealing any money. Officers were unable to locate the suspect at the time of the incident. Three hours later, at approximately 1:30 AM, on Thursday, November 25 PRPD officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery at Chevron on Ramada Drive. On arrival, officers contacted the victim/employee at Chevron and learned that the suspect had fired one shot from a handgun, into the wall behind the employee. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money from the employee and fled the area. It was believed the suspect fled the area in a BMW sedan. Approximately one hour later, at 2:30 AM, on Thursday, November 25 a PRPD Officer located a BMW matching the description near the highway 46 and US 101 corridor. Immediately upon seeing the officer the BMW fled west on 24th street. With the assistance of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, a traffic stop was attempted on the vehicle and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Deputies and Officers pursued the vehicle out to Nacimiento Lake Drive all the way to the Nacimiento Lake Dam. Near the lake dam the suspect jumped out of his vehicle and fled on foot towards the lake. Several police K9s were requested and later responded, as did a California Highway Patrol helicopter. The suspect’s vehicle was towed from the scene. Officers were not able to locate the suspect, but through an investigation have developed a person of interest in the robbery. 29-year-old Richard Garcia of Paso Robles, is a person of interest in this investigation. At this point it is not known if the two robberies are connected. These investigations are on-going.