Local News in Brief : Westminster : Robbery Suspect Held After Mile-Long Chase
A 23-year-old armed robbery suspect was arrested Thursday after an exchange of gunfire with police during a mile-long chase.
Robert LeRoy Demoe, 23, of Midway City was taken into custody at 10:48 a.m. after he stopped in the 7900 block of Edinger Avenue for the pursuing police car, Westminster police said.
An hour earlier, Demoe had walked into a flower shop on Beach Boulevard, armed with a pistol, and demanded money from a clerk, Westminster police spokesman Robert Amren said. But the clerk apparently scared Demoe, who fled empty handed and on foot, heading north on Beach Boulevard, Amren said.
Police searching the area later saw Demoe, driving a 1977 blue Toyota pickup, when he pulled into the driveway of the Ha’Penny Inn on Beach Boulevard, Amren said. The pickup had been reported stolen in Garden Grove.
No one was injured in the chase, and Amren said it was not immediately known how many shots were fired.
Demoe was booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of assault on an officer with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, evading arrest and possession of a stolen vehicle, authorities said.
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