Thief tries hitting ampm employee with dowel, police say

Visalia police arrested a man after they say he stole from a convenience store and tried hitting an employee with a wooden dowel on Sunday morning.

Sgt. Damon Maurice said Jon Martinez, 32, took items from the ampm at 2910 Dinuba Blvd. just before 8 a.m. When an employee confronted him, Martinez allegedly tried to hit the employee with the dowel, then fled the area with the stolen items.

Officers later found Martinez across the street in the Orchard Walk shopping center with the items and a police-style expandable baton.

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possessing a weapon, Maurice said.

This story was originally published January 14, 2018 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Thief tries hitting ampm employee with dowel, police say."