Suspect in Robbery Attempt Arrested

Ventura police, with the assistance of California Highway Patrol officers, arrested a 24-year-old man who fired at a grocery store clerk during a bungled robbery attempt Sunday night, authorities said.

Shortly before 7 p.m., the man, identified as Jose Viuna, address unknown, entered Lee’s Grocery Store at 403 N. Olive St. to purchase beer, police said. At some point, Viuna--whose name may be an alias--pulled a .357-caliber derringer and demanded money from the clerk, according to Ventura Police Sgt. Larry White.

For reasons that are not immediately clear, Viuna fired a single shot at the clerk, missing his head by a few inches, White said. Viuna then fled the store, which is opposite West Park, but not before waving the gun in the face of a passerby who was investigating the gunfire, White added.

The suspect then ran west from Olive Street, crossing California 33 and attempting to hide in a brushy area of the Ventura River bottom, White said. Ventura and CHP officers began a search and, a short time later, took Viuna into custody without further incident.

White said the handgun used in the incident was recovered nearby. Viuna was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and attempted murder. He was taken to Ventura County Jail, where he remained in custody late Sunday in lieu of $250,000 bail.