Tulsa Police Catch Robber Running With Fiesta Mart Cash Drawer

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa police were in the right place at the right time when a man robbed the Fiesta Mart at 15th and Harvard overnight Saturday. A police officer parked his car near the convenience store following an earlier robbery at a nearby Fiesta Mart.

The officer saw a man running from the store after carrying the cash drawer just after 4 a.m. The officer followed the man who ran to a car parked behind the store.

Police then chased the robber's car to 12th and Fulton.

"Once the suspect noticed the officer behind him, he tried to run through the neighborhood," said Sergeant John Adams with the Tulsa Police Department.

"Probably went maybe a mile or so before he ran out of road; tried to pull over and get out and run and was apprehended at the scene."

The man has been identified as Christopher Lamont Ashley, 31, of Tulsa. He was booked into the Tulsa County Jail on armed robbery and eluding police (after former conviction of a felony), resisting arrest and driving without a license.

He is being held on a bond of over $100,000.

Adams said a K9 officer chased Ashley down after he ran from police, but no one was injured.

"Dog tore the clothes off but did not sink in," Adams said.

Officers returned Ashley's pants to him then took him into custody. The Fiesta Mart store clerk identified the robber.

Police are going to do a photo lineup to see if the Ashley is also responsible for an attempted robbery at the Fiesta Mart at 21st and Sheridan shortly after 3 a.m.

The clerk at that store was outside sweeping when he was approached by a man with a gun who demanded money. Police say the employee dropped the broom and ran, and the robber took off without any cash.