Store Manager Overpowers Bandit

A pizzeria manager foiled the robbery of his store Monday when he overpowered a man armed with a BB gun and held him until police arrived, authorities said.

Brea police, who provide police services for Yorba Linda, arrested three Pomona residents, including a 15-year-old youth, Lt. Jim Winder said.

The robbery occurred about 1 a.m. as the manager, James Jones, 26, and another employee were closing the Domino’s Pizza in the 4900 block of Yorba Ranch Road, Winder said.

A man rushed into the store and ordered Jones to hand over money, the lieutenant said. Jones handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, then realized that the man was armed only with a BB gun, Winder said.

He overpowered him and held him on the floor while the other employee called 911, Winder said.

“He was sitting on the suspect when we arrived on the scene,” Winder said. “He’s a pretty brave guy.”

James Carlton King, 22, was booked on suspicion of robbery. A man and a youth waiting in a getaway car outside the pizzeria were arrested after a brief chase, Winder said.

They were identified as James Dorland Strang, 18, and a 15-year-old youth.

King and Strang are being held in Orange County Jail in Santa Ana in lieu of $10,000 bail. The youth is being held in Juvenile Hall.