Video captures officer walking into 7-Eleven during armed robbery

KTLA 5

19 Jan 202403:21

Summary

TLDRAn armed robber held up a 7-Eleven clerk at gunpoint, forcing him to fill a bag with around $400 from the cash register. As the thief turned to escape, an off-duty police sergeant who was a regular customer entered the store. Realizing something was wrong from the clerk's expression, the sergeant chased after the fleeing suspect for over 1,500 feet outside before tackling him to the ground. Officers arrested 48-year-old Ramon Gonzalez and recovered the stolen money as well as a loaded handgun. Gonzalez now faces charges including robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Takeaways

😲 Armed robbery at 7-Eleven store in West Covina caught on surveillance video
😱 Robber demands money from clerk at gunpoint
🤠 Off-duty police sergeant walks in during robbery in progress
🚔 Sergeant recognizes something is wrong, chase ensues
🏃‍♂️ Robber attempts to flee with $400 cash, sergeant catches him outside
👮‍♂️ 17-year veteran sergeant able to apprehend robber after struggle
🔫 Loaded handgun recovered from robber
🚓 Backup officers arrive, suspect identified as 48-yr old Ramon Gonzalez
🗣 Victim clerk grateful to sergeant for intervening
🚔 Gonzalez faces charges of robbery and felon in possession of firearm

Q & A

What was Sergeant Abel Hernandez doing when he walked into the 7-Eleven store?
-He was a frequent customer who went to the store to say hello.
How much money did the robber take from the store?
-He took about $400.
What tipped off Sergeant Hernandez that something was wrong in the store?
-The clerk always had a smile, but had a frightened expression on his face when Hernandez entered.
How far did the robber get before Hernandez caught him?
-Hernandez caught him 15-20 feet outside the doors of the store.
What charges is the robbery suspect facing?
-The suspect, Ramon Gonzalez, is facing charges of robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.
How long has Sergeant Hernandez worked for the West Covina Police Department?
-He has been a veteran of the department for 17 years.
What made Hernandez realize something was wrong initially when he entered the store?
-He noticed the robber was wearing gloves and a ski mask even though it was a chilly night.
Did the robber resist arrest or struggle with officers?
-Yes, he put up a brief struggle before relenting to the officers.
What weapon did officers recover from the suspect?
-They recovered a loaded handgun.
Why does Hernandez believe he was able to catch the robber?
-He believes that being in the right place at the right time and his police training allowed him to react quickly to the armed robbery in progress.

Outlines

00:00

😲 Armed Robbery at 7-Eleven Store Interrupted by Off-Duty Sergeant

An armed robber entered a 7-Eleven store in West Covina, California and demanded money from the clerk. He flashed a gun and the frightened clerk quickly filled a bag with about $400 in cash. Suddenly, an off-duty police sergeant who was a frequent customer walked in, realized a robbery was in progress, and gave chase when the robber tried to flee. The sergeant tackled the robber just outside the store doors and backup officers arrived to make the arrest. The suspect was identified as 48-year-old Ramon Gonzalez who now faces charges of robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Armed Robbery

Armed robbery refers to the crime of stealing from someone or somewhere using weapons. In the context of the video, an armed robbery takes place at a 7.11 convenience store in West Covina, where the robber, equipped with a gun, demands the clerk to empty the cash register. This act of crime involves direct threat to the clerk's safety, elevating the stakes and showcasing the immediate danger involved in armed robbery incidents.

💡7.11 Clerk

The 7.11 clerk in the video is the employee working at the convenience store who is directly confronted by the armed robber. The term 'clerk' here represents a frontline worker in a retail environment, often responsible for handling cash transactions, among other duties. The narrative highlights the vulnerability of such workers to crimes like armed robbery, emphasizing the clerk's frightened state as they are forced to hand over hundreds of dollars to the criminal.

💡Thirsty Customer

The term 'thirsty customer' initially appears to describe an ordinary person entering the 7.11 store, presumably to make a purchase. However, this customer is revealed to be an alert police sergeant who plays a crucial role in identifying and interrupting the armed robbery in progress. This twist in the narrative underscores the unexpected involvement of law enforcement in civilian guise, directly contributing to the disruption of the criminal activity.

💡Sergeant Abel Hernandez

Sergeant Abel Hernandez is identified as a 17-year veteran of the West Covina Police Department who happens to walk into the 7.11 during the armed robbery. His experience and training enable him to quickly assess the situation and pursue the robber, illustrating the importance of police presence and vigilance. Hernandez's actions lead to the apprehension of the suspect, highlighting the role of individual law enforcement officers in maintaining public safety.

💡Ski Mask

The ski mask is mentioned as part of the armed robber's disguise, along with gloves, to conceal his identity during the crime. This detail is significant as it points to the premeditation involved in the robbery and the lengths to which criminals will go to avoid detection and capture. The mask serves as a symbol of the anonymity sought by offenders and the challenges faced by law enforcement in identifying them.

💡Victim's Expression

The victim's expression, as noticed by Sergeant Hernandez, serves as a crucial clue that something was amiss inside the store. Typically, the clerk is described as always smiling, but his altered demeanor during the robbery provides Hernandez with non-verbal cues of distress. This aspect of the narrative underscores the importance of body language and facial expressions in communicating fear and alerting bystanders to emergencies.

💡Loaded Handgun

The loaded handgun recovered by the police following the chase is a critical piece of evidence linking the suspect to the armed robbery. It represents the tangible threat posed by the robber to the victims and law enforcement alike. The presence of a loaded weapon at the crime scene escalates the seriousness of the offense, underlining the dangers associated with armed criminal acts.

💡Ramon Gonzalez

Ramon Gonzalez is identified as the suspect in the armed robbery case, a 48-year-old resident with a criminal background. His involvement as the perpetrator provides a human face to the crime, facilitating discussions on the consequences of criminal actions, the justice system's response, and the personal stories behind criminal statistics. Gonzalez's apprehension and the charges against him highlight the legal repercussions of engaging in armed robbery.

💡Felony Charges

Felony charges, including robbery and felon in possession of a firearm, are mentioned in relation to the suspect's apprehension. These charges denote serious criminal offenses that carry significant legal penalties, reflecting the gravity of armed robbery and the illegal possession of weapons by individuals with criminal histories. The mention of these charges contextualizes the legal framework within which the crime is addressed and the suspect is prosecuted.

💡Crime Intervention

Crime intervention in the video is exemplified by the actions of Sergeant Abel Hernandez, who, by being in the right place at the right time, is able to intervene in the ongoing armed robbery. This term encompasses the strategies and actions taken by individuals, especially law enforcement officers, to prevent, stop, or mitigate criminal activities. Hernandez's quick response and the subsequent capture of the suspect illustrate the impact of effective crime intervention in protecting community safety.

Highlights

Armed robbery at 7.11 convenience store in West Covina.

Hooded stranger, in his 20s, demands clerk to empty the register.

Robber flashes a gun at his waist, heightening the threat.

Clerk quickly fills a plastic bag with cash under duress.

Unexpected twist as a frequent customer, who is a local cop, enters.

Sergeant Abel Hernandez, a 17-year veteran, spots the robbery.

Hernandez's presence interrupts the armed robber's escape plan.

The robber's attempt to escape with $400 is thwarted.

Victim alerts Hernandez about the gun and the robbery.

Hernandez quickly apprehends the robber right outside the store.

A brief struggle ensues before the robber relents to Hernandez.

Backup arrives and a loaded handgun is recovered.

The armed robbery suspect is identified as Ramon Gonzalez, a 48-year-old.

Gonzalez faces several charges including robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.

Sergeant Hernandez's timely intervention leads to a safe resolution.