The detail that led police to spot brazen thief
A man who allegedly robbed a hardware store at gunpoint was run down by police due to a detail spotted on his getaway car.
The man allegedly robbed Ace Hardware in Happy Valley, in the US state of Oregon, on November 3 at about 10.50am with a gun, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Marcus Mendoza said.
A witness told police they spotted the man fleeing in a Mazda CX-9 but they added the car would “be easy to spot”.
“It reportedly had a large sofa strapped to its top,” Sgt Mendoza said.
“Deputies spotted the suspect vehicle on Sunnyside Road within minutes.”
Police had to pursue the Mazda as the driver wouldn’t stop. Sgt Medonza added “the sofa remained firmly affixed to the vehicle's roof”.
The car eventually stopped but police said the driver fled on foot. A passenger in the car remained behind and she was detained before being released as police ascertained she had not been involved.
Police said they also found a gun believed to have been used in the robbery in another car nearby.
It’s further alleged the Mazda was stolen.
The man, identified as Joseph Tyler Johnson, 34, was arrested and now faces charges including Robbery I, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering in Clackamas County.
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