La Mesa Man Accused of Robbing Store While Wearing Santa Hat

A San Diego man who allegedly carried out an armed robbery an East County liquor store today while sporting a red Santa-style cap was arrested during a traffic stop a short time later.

Bertho Gauthier, 23, allegedly pulled a handgun on a clerk at the business in the 5300 block of Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa and demanded cash from the register shortly after 3 p.m., according to police.

After the victim handed over an undisclosed amount of money, the bandit left the shop and fled the area to the north in a dark-gray Mazda 6.

An officer responding to the robbery spotted the car in the 5000 block of Baltimore Drive, pulled it over and arrested Gauthier. The stolen cash and a pistol were recovered from the sedan, police said.