Fresno robbery suspect tackled after allegedly using box cutter to steal candy, juice

A man was arrested Thursday after police say he stole candy and juice from a central Fresno convenience store before a group of good Samaritans surrounded and tackled him, and then held him down until police arrived.

Lt. Joe Gomez said police arrived at the Arco station at 2429 E. McKinley Ave. at 6:23 p.m. and learned that Jose Garcia Usied, 35, was detained at 1527 N. Thesta St. The clerk told officers that Usied grabbed candy, two plastic juice bottles and other items and waited in line. As he neared the front of the line, Usied allegedly told the clerk, “I’m taking this,” and brandished a box cutter.

Gomez said the clerk followed Usied out of the store. Usied then turned and threw an open juice bottle at the clerk before threatening him again with the box cutter. Usied then turned and ran south across McKinley.

The clerk and another person ran after Usied, Gomez said. More people starting joining the group from neighboring businesses, and they eventually cornered Usied. Several men took him down, and the box cutter fell out of his pocket.

Police arrived soon after and collected Usied, the weapon and the stolen merchandise. He was booked into Fresno County Jail on robbery charges.

This story was originally published July 11, 2015 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Fresno robbery suspect tackled after allegedly using box cutter to steal candy, juice."