Robber Takes Cash, Leaves Jar Of Marijuana For Clerk

GLEN ELLEN, CA — A man was arrested on suspicion of robbing a convenience store Tuesday in Glen Ellen and is said to have left a jar of marijuana for the store clerk.

The armed robbery was reported shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 13000 block of Arnold Drive.

A man later identified as Joseph Wittig, 34, of Sonoma, walked into the store and demanded the money in the cash register, the sheriff's office said.

"When the clerk refused, Wittig showed him a handgun tucked in his waistband," officials said. "The clerk asked Wittig to let other customers leave first; Wittig agreed. Once the other customers left, the suspect took cash out of the register and drove away. He left a jar of marijuana for the clerk."

Wittig was not arrested right away.

Detectives were called out and took over the investigation. Using surveillance footage, they identified their suspect.

Wittig was taken into custody Wednesday in the 400 block of Lovall Valley Road in Sonoma.

A shelter-in-place order was in place for around 45 minutes Thursday night as authorities served a search warrant at Wittig's residence in the 13600 block of Arnold Drive.

Evidence including a replica gun was found in the search of his home, the sheriff's office said.

It is also alleged that Wittig broke a phone during the booking process at Sonoma County jail and was charged with an additional misdemeanor on top of the felony robbery charge.

Wittig's bail was set at $101,000 and he remained in custody Friday.