Robbery suspect chased by victim, turns himself in to police
Costa Mesa police arrested a man suspected of robbing a Huntington Beach resident at gunpoint Saturday as he deposited money into an ATM.
After being chased by the mace-wielding victim and searched for by a helicopter and K9 units, the suspect turned himself in, according to police.
Brian Gonzalez, 18, of Fontana, approached a 29-year-old man who was depositing money at a Wescom Credit Union ATM on Baker Street near Fairview Road about 11:10 p.m., police said.
Gonzalez, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, brandished a short-barreled shotgun and told the victim to withdraw cash, according to police.
Police said the victim entered his PIN and then ran back to his vehicle, where he grabbed a canister of mace and chased Gonzalez, spraying it in his direction as he ran from the ATM.
He lost Gonzalez after about a block and called police, according to a release from the department.
Costa Mesa police officers, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter and K9 units from the Newport Beach and Cypress police departments started a search for the suspect.
As they looked, Costa Mesa police got a call from one of the suspect’s family members, according to the release.
Police said Gonzalez had called asking for a ride because police were chasing him, and the family member instead called the authorities.
Police were able to contact Gonzalez on his cell phone and convince him to surrender at a fast-food restaurant at 15th Street and Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa.
Officers found a shotgun by a dumpster at an apartment complex near Coolidge Avenue. They allege Gonzalez dumped it there. Officers also recovered $20.
Gonzalez was booked for armed robbery and transported to Orange County Jail, where he was held on $50,000 bail, police said.
Officers are trying to determine if he was involved in similar crimes and are asking anyone who thinks he or she may be a victim to contact Det. Rob Hanson at (714) 754-5162.
Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck