Salinas Robber Shot by Officers, Later Dies

One suspect was dead following a shootout with police and a second suspect was arrested following Thursday’s robbery in a Salinas Walmart store on North Main Street, according to police.

Jose Eliseo Agustin

Reports cited that the fatal shootout occurred about 1 p.m. Friday when Salinas police made a traffic stop of Richard L. Chacon, 32, in connection with the armed robbery at the major retailer the day before. Police said they suspect Chacon is the gunman who went to Walmart at 10:15 a.m. Thursday dressed as a security guard, threatened an employee with his weapon and left with an undetermined amount of cash.

The next day, according to police, Chacon was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle after being stopped on the 1900 block of Constitution Boulevard. He opened the door and began shooting at officers and was wounded by their return fire.

In a press release issued later Friday night, Salinas police Sgt. Henry Gomez confirmed that Chacon had died of his injuries.

Police said no other officers were hurt in the incident.

Also on Friday, police surrounded a home near Constitution and Nantucket Boulevards that they said may have been associated with Chacon. The neighborhood remained blocked off until near midnight Friday. On Saturday afternoon, Salinas police issued a news release that said they had arrested a second suspect on the day of the robbery. They said Jose Eliseo Agustin, 21, is an assistant manager at the store.

“During the investigation, officers reviewing surveillance video saw suspicious activity by one of the store employees. The officer was able to gain enough evidence to believe the employee, Agustin, assisted in the robbery,” police said.

Agustin is being held in Monterey County Jail on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, with gang enhancements. As of Sunday, Salinas Police had not released the names of the officers involved in the shooting, how many times Chacon was shot or to which hospital he was taken. Police also have not given Chacon’s city of residence

Read More:

The Californian: Police Believe Robbery Cash Found

KION46: Richard Chacon Nephew Involved in Robbery, Police Say

San Jose Mercury News: Salinas Police Release More Details on Shooting of Walmart Robbery Suspect