Marysville robbery suspect found drunk, crying

A Marysville robbery suspect was found drunk and crying in a Yuba City backyard on Thursday night after a foot chase, police said.

Police say Roman Zarate, 24, stole merchandise from Winco grocery store at 7:34 p.m. and fled across Highway 99 and onto South Palora Avenue off Franklin Road.

"I'm surprised he made it this far," said Sgt. Chad Lizardo of the Yuba City Police Department. "He's just hammered."

Marysville Police Sgt. Chris Sachs said that on Nov. 30, Zarate entered a home on H Street, demanded money from residents and forced them to the floor.

He took several thousand dollars in cash as well as bank cards and identification, according to Sachs.

No weapons were involved, Sachs said, but based on Zarate's size, "victims were afraid for their safety."

On Thursday, members of a gang task force conducting routine checks in Yuba City found several thousand dollars in Zarate's possession as well as a broken wine bottle in his pants.

He suffered cuts on his leg from the broken glass, according to Lizardo.

After arresting him Thursday night, Yuba Sutter Net-5 Task Force agents waited for Zarate to finish vomiting before loading him into a BI-County ambulance.

The suspect sobbed into his bib/barf bag and groaned.

"You can't commit a crime and then cry," said Lt. Brandon Barnes of the Yuba County Sheriff's Department, shaking his head.

It was unclear whether Zarate would be booked into Yuba or Sutter County Jail.

Rob Parsons contributed to this article.

CONTACT Nancy Pasternack at npasternack@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4781. Find her on Facebook at /ADnpasternack or on Twitter at @ADnpasternack.

Reporter Rob Parsons contributed to this article.