Man Behind Bars Following Gas Station Robbery That Yields $1

DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CBS) — A Desert Hot Springs man accused of stealing $1 from a patron at a gas station was behind bars Thursday.

Baltazar Juarez Sanchez, 51, was arrested near Palm Drive and Hacienda Avenue around 6 p.m. Wednesday on suspicion of armed robbery, resisting arrest and having a parolee-at-large warrant, said Desert Hot Springs police Sgt. Brian Link.

"(He) demanded money from the victim while exposing the handle of a handgun he had concealed in the waistband of his pants. The victim gave him one dollar," Link said.

Officers spotted Sanchez near the gas station a short time later and a foot chase ensued.

Link said that the suspect discarded the handgun during the pursuit, which turned out to be a replica Airsoft pistol.

Sanchez was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

He is being held without bail and is expected to be arraigned Friday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

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