Suspect in Restaurant Holdup, Shooting Held
Police arrested an Orange man on Friday on suspicion of robbing a restaurant and then shooting an employee in the stomach.
Richard Garcia, 29, was arrested in Orange about 16 hours after Ted’s Burger in the 100 block of East Taft Avenue was robbed, Orange Police Lt. Ed Tunstall said.
At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, a gunman entered the restaurant demanding money from the cook, Ricardo Godoy, 29, of Orange. When Godoy failed to comply, the bandit made the same demand to a waitress, who turned over about $350.
The robber then shot Godoy in the abdomen and ran, said. Godoy was listed in stable condition Friday.
The suspect was later identified as Garcia. Police said witnesses of the shooting recognized Garcia as a customer who had been to the restaurant before.
Authorities found Garcia in a friend’s apartment in the 400 block of East Briardale Avenue, Tunstall said. After a short standoff, he surrendered and was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and armed robbery, Tunstall said.
A small handgun was found in the apartment, but no cash was recovered.
Detectives said Garcia is on parole for burglary and wanted for parole violation.
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