Lexus-Driving Armed Robber Commits Multiple Crimes

PINOLE, CA —A man was arrested in Pinole last Saturday on suspicion of committing or trying to commit several armed robberies in the course of about an hour, according to police.

Just after 7 p.m., Pinole police responded to a Chevron gas station and convenience store in the 2200 block of Appian Way about an armed robbery.

The suspect, armed with a knife, demanded money from an employee, who handed over the cash, police said.

No one was hurt in the robbery and the suspect fled in a black Lexus RX 350 that turned out to be stolen, but not before the employee got the car's license plate and the suspect's description, according to police.

About 15 minutes later, officers received a call about a similar robbery attempt at a Shell gas station by what sounded like the same suspect, a bearded white man in his 20s wearing sunglasses, a black cap and white
shirt, police said.

The Shell employee refused to hand over any cash and the suspect fled without hurting anyone.

During the investigation, Pinole officers learned that Richmond police and Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies were looking for a suspect with a similar description who they suspected of committing similar crimes during a one-hour period that same evening, according to police officials.

A short time later, a California Highway Patrol helicopter spotted the car near a Bank of America in the 1200 block of Tara Hills Drive in Pinole.

Officers arrived and arrested Dev Razat, 24, of Richmond on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery and vehicle theft.

Razat was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, where he is being held on $658,000 bail.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Pinole police at (510) 724- 8950.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock