Driver Robbed of Wallet at Gas Station; Suspect in Custody

A 28-year-old man was arrested at a Cardiff gas station Friday night for suspicion of armed robbery after he threatened a driver that had stopped for gas, stole his wallet and punctured his tires with a knife, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Jesus Gonzalez, 28, was arrested at the 76 station at 3085 Manchester Ave. just after 11 p.m., according to the department. Deputies used a Taser on Gonzalez after he did not comply with their instructions, said Sgt. Joe Passalacqua.

A man that was fueling his vehicle told deputies that Gonzalez approached him and asked for his cell phone. After the driver refused to hand over his phone, he went into the convenience store, returned to his vehicle and noticed that one of the tires was flat, according to Passalacqua.

The driver moved the car to the station’s air pump, where Gonzalez approached the vehicle again, opened the door and began looking though the driver’s belongings, Passalacqua said. The driver confronted Gonzalez, who then brandished a knife, punctured the vehicle’s tires and placed the knife to the driver’s stomach while demanding his wallet, according to Passalacqua.

The driver feared for his life and handed over his wallet. Within minutes deputies arrived and confronted Gonzalez, who would not cooperate. A Taser was used to subdue Gonzalez.

According to jail records, Gonzalez was booked into the Vista Detention Center and is being held on $100,000 bail. He faces felony robbery and vandalism charges, along with misdemeanor being under the influence of a controlled substance and paraphernalia charges.