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ST. GEORGE — A man has been arrested and accused of robbing four people at gunpoint who were sitting in their car in front of a yogurt store in St. George.
Robert Andrew Sanchez, 25, was arrested Tuesday by St. George police for investigation of four counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of aggravated kidnapping, stealing a bank card, unlawful use of a bank card, carrying a concealed loaded gun, marijuana possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The frightening incident happened on May 4, about 10:50 p.m. Four people were in a car parked at Yogurt Land, 15 S. River Road, when Sanchez opened the rear passenger door and ordered two women in the back to "move over," all while he was holding "what was described as a black Glock-style handgun that had a green laser attached to it," according to a police booking affidavit.
Sanchez then got into the back seat and had the four occupants — two men and two women — drive to another location.
"As they drove around the parking lot, the suspect pressed the muzzle of the gun into the side of the front passenger and then jammed the muzzle into the right thigh of the driver as he demanded their money, IDs and financial cards. The suspect also pointed the gun directly at the stomach of the female victim he sat next to," according to the affidavit.
Sanchez took the front passenger's money, debit card and driver's license and three cellphones from all the victims, the affidavit states, before running off.
Police believe Sanchez then immediately withdrew $600 from the victim's account at a nearby credit union, and then went to a bar where he withdrew another $200 from an ATM, according to the affidavit. The card was used a third time at a gas station to purchase about $70 in gasoline.
Based on video surveillance from the bar, police identified the suspect as Sanchez, the affidavit states. Using video from other nearby businesses, police also identified a vehicle in the area believed to be registered to Sanchez's sister.
On Tuesday, Sanchez was located by police and arrested. Search warrants were served at this residence and on the vehicle he was believed to be driving, and various items of evidence were collected, including the gun with the laser attached, drugs and clothing items Sanchez wore during the robbery, according to the affidavit.
Police have requested that Sanchez remain incarcerated pending the filing of formal charges. Their request is based on a number of reasons, including that "Robert is known to evade police and was involved in a gang-related homicide in California where a firearm was used," police wrote in the affidavit.
