Robber has change of a heart, returns cash and apologizes, police say

A robber who held up a Eureka gas station had a change of heart after pulling off the heist and returned to the filling station to give back the money, authorities said.

Police said the bandit later surrendered to officers and then apologized to employees at the gas station.

Cyle Warren Abbott Jr., a 23-year-old Eureka resident, robbed the gas station at 6:14 a.m. Sunday morning at gunpoint, stealing cash and two bottles of beer, police said.

Hours after the robbery, Abbott allegedly returned to the gas station and attempted to give back the cash.

After the station employees called police to tell them the robber had returned, Abbott allegedly waited in a bathroom and then surrendered when officers arrived.

He later apologized to the gas station employees and officers, police said.

Abbott told officers he was “trying to turn his life around and do the right thing,” said Eureka police Sgt. Steve Watson.

He said he planned to use the stolen money to leave town and “get a fresh start,” police said.

Abbott was arrested on suspicion of robbery and violating his probation.

For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.