Encinitas Restaurant Robbed; Suspect Shot Several Times

ENCINITAS, CA -- A man who allegedly robbed a Mexican restaurant and fled on a motorcycle is now in custody after a short pursuit that ended with the suspect being shot several times, police say.

Just before 5:30 a.m. on Nov. 14, deputies from the Sheriff's North Coastal Station say they received a call of an armed robbery in progress at the El Pueblo Mexican Restaurant in the 800 block of Birmingham Drive in Encinitas.

As deputies were responding, the call was updated to say the suspect was described as a white male adult with a silver handgun and wearing a black motorcycle helmet, and that he had fled the scene on a blue motorcycle.

Within minutes, deputies saw a blue motorcycle with a rider matching the suspect's description, near the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and El Camino Real. Deputies attempted to stop the motorcycle but the rider failed to yield and a short pursuit ensued.

The pursuit ended in the 1700 block of El Camino Real when the rider of the motorcycle lost control and crashed near the entrance of an apartment complex, police say. The suspect was able to quickly get to his feet and run from the scene of the accident. A deputy gave chase on foot and caught up with the suspect about 100 feet from the accident scene.

There was a confrontation between the deputy and the suspect, during which the deputy fired multiple rounds at the suspect, striking him several times in the lower portion of his body. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

The suspect, later identified as 53-year-old Robert Parkin of Encinitas, was transported to a local hospital where he is receiving treatment for his wounds, which are considered non-life threatening. No law enforcement officials were injured.

Found at the scene of the confrontation was a silver colored handgun and cash believed to have been taken during the armed robbery.

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