Gun Stolen From Citrus Heights Home Used in Christmas Day Armed Robbery

A Fremont man who had been out of prison for all of one month when he robbed a motel clerk at gunpoint on Christmas Day is heading back to prison.

Justin Pate, 27, was sentenced this week to 6 years in prison.

Fremont Police report that Pate, donning a mask, entered a Motel 6 on Research Avenue at 4:40 Last Christmas morning. He pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register. The victim complied and the suspect ran out with the cash.

Police began an intensive search for the suspect. He was arrested in a Motel 6 in Hayward on Dec. 29. A search of his room turned up a loaded Norinco 9mm semi-auto pistol, which is believed to be the firearm used during the robbery and had been reported stolen during a residential burglary in Citrus Heights, in July of 2013.

In a written statement released on Nixle, police sayd, “This was a very dangerous crime and we are extremely thankful to the citizen who came forward to assist us with this investigation. We’d also like to thank our community for their continued support and partnership!”

--Photo via Fremont Police