Man with flare gun robs gas station customer

Published 6:35 pm Friday, September 9, 2016

HAMSHIRE — A flare gun wielding man who robbed a Hamshire gas station customer was found hiding in a tree line shortly afterward on Friday.

Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was called about an aggravated robbery shortly after noon Sept. 9 to the Cowboy Truck Stop, 24740 Interstate 10 in Hamshire

Witnesses said the suspect approached a van parked at the pump getting fuel, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office. The man opened the driver’s door, showed an orange gun and demanded the passengers get out of the van and hand over the keys.

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He then grabbed a cellphone from the driver’s seat, walked around to the other side of the van and fired a shot then walked off.

Deputies arrived and found the man hiding in a tree line near where the incident happened. An orange gun, which turned out to be a flare gun, was found on the suspect along with five flares. The round that was fired was also found.

No one was injured during the incident.

Deputies arrested Juan Manuel Navarro for aggravated robbery.