Man Arrested For Alleged Strong-armed Robbery at Great Mall

MILPITAS, CA — Police in Milpitas on Sunday arrested a man in connection with a strong-armed robbery.

Mario Christopher Washington, 41, of Berkeley, was arrested on suspicion robbery, possession of drug paraphernalia and on a felony warrant.

Officers with the Milpitas Police Department responded Sunday at 5:09 p.m. to a report of a theft at the Kohl's at 1150 Great Mall Drive.

A 22-year-old asset protection employee at the store tried to stop a man for shoplifting several items of clothing, but the suspect shoved the woman and fled the are on foot, police said.

Responding officers arrived and located the suspect, identified as Washington, hiding among cars parked on Hammond Way, police said.

The suspect was taken into custody, and a search of his backpack revealed the stolen clothing and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Police also discovered Washington had an active felony warrant out of Oakland.

— Bay City News; Image via Milpitas Police