Crime & Safety
Palo Alto Police Arrest 3 On Suspicion Of Armed Robbery
The robbery occurred at the gas station at 699 San Antonio Road around 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, police said.
PALO ALTO, CA — A man and woman from Salinas along with a Los Banos man were arrested after allegedly robbing an Arco gas station and fleeing with two children in their escape vehicle in Palo Alto on Sunday night, according to police.
The robbery, which occurred at the gas station at 699 San Antonio Road around 8:40 p.m., was reported by a witness who entered the store moments after the alleged robbery, police said.
At least one male suspect entered the store with a handgun and pointed it at a male clerk in his 40s, demanding the money in the register.
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The clerk complied and the robber fled in the vehicle with the two other suspects. In the moments after the robbery, the witness was told of the robber by the clerk and looked to find the suspect vehicle, spotted it and then followed while calling 911, according to police.
The witness was able to provide updates on the suspects' location as they were following their vehicle until patrol units were able to stop it and arrest the suspects, police said.
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In addition to the cash from the robbery being spotted in one of the suspect's bags inside the vehicle, police said a stolen firearm was seen with reach of a elementary school-aged child.
The young child was released to relatives and the other child, a teenager, was taken to a youth shelter. All three suspects: 28-year old Jesus Benitozavala and 26-year-old Yesenia Flores Lopez, both of Salinas, and 19-year-old Jose Solis of Los Banos were booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and child endangerment.
Police believe Solis was the alleged gunman and Bentiozavala and Lopez acted as getaway drivers.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Palo Alto police at (650) 329-2413.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can email paloalto@tipnow.org or send a text or voicemail to (650) 383-8984.
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