Suspect sought in 'beer run'

Police are seeking a third suspect in connection with the holiday "beer run" robbery at the Jackpot Market in Colusa.

Three masked suspects struck the convenience store and gas station in the 800 block of Market Street just after midnight Dec. 31, Colusa police Lt. Ross Stark said. The suspects entered the store together and snatched several cases of beer with a minimum value of $66, Stark said.

As the suspects fled the store, a clerk jumped in front of the thieves and tried to detain them. The clerk was shoved out of the way and the trio escaped in a black Nissan sedan.

Video surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses provided police with vehicle and suspect descriptions, Stark said.

Police made two arrests later that night at a house party in the 1400 block of Third Street. Jose De Jesus Ibarra Martinez, 24, of Colusa, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and burglary.

Martinez was arraigned Monday in Colusa County Superior Court. He is being held without bail while awaiting deportation by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

A 17-year-old Colusa youth was also arrested in connection with the alleged robbery. His court date was not available.

Assault charges could be added later, officials said.

A description of the third suspect was unavailable.

Jackpot Market has been relatively crime-free since it opened in downtown Colusa more than two decades ago, store owner Mike West said.

"We've had some snatch and grab stuff over the years, but nothing really major," said West, adding that the store has been robbed once, about 15 years ago.

So-called "beer runs" are a fairly common type of theft at gas-station convenience stores and liquor stores, according to Stark and West. Thieves enter the targeted store in a small group and try to distract employees while their co-conspirators take the alcohol.

Anyone with information about the third suspect is asked to call the Colusa Police Department at 458-7777.

Contact reporter Rob Parsons at 458-2121 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.