San Bernardino gas station robbery caught on camera; suspect sought

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Police are searching for an armed robbery suspect who held up a Mobil gas station in San Bernardino. The robbery was caught on surveillance video.

The incident happened last Thursday at the Mobil station on University and Hallmark parkways. The gas station has 45 cameras inside and out that roll video and audio 24 hours a day.

In the video, the suspect is seen walking in, acting like he was going to buy something. Then, armed with a handgun, he demanded money.

The cashier tried to get out of the way and pushed the robber, but decided it's safer to open the register. He dropped the key, picked it up and eventually gave the suspect about $600.

The suspect ordered the cashier to get down, then walked out. Gas station manager Sam Hasouneh says the clerk was shaken.

"For him, it's scary. He has a kid, he has a family. Thank God nobody was hurt," Hasouneh said.

Police say they don't usually get surveillance video with audio. The higher the quality, the better the chances are of catching a suspect.

"Crystal clear video is key. Obviously, there are all kinds of things that we can pick up out of that video, not just a facial shot, but there's a lot of other things we can get. It sometimes shows tattoos, it sometimes shows jewelry that they might be wearing that might be distinct in some way," said Lt. Rich Lawhead with the San Bernardino Police Department.

Hasouneh also hopes images from cameras at his store in Buena Park will help police there nab a shoplifter.

The Mobil station is offering a cash reward and free gas for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the armed robber. Anyone with information was asked to call San Bernardino police.