SALINAS — 27-year-old James Armijo spent the morning behind bars after the owner of the China Garden Restaurant found him trespassing at 1:51 AM on Tuesday.
A Salinas Police Officer responded to reports of a fight potentially involving a firearm that was taking place outside the Taco Bell on the 1300 block of North Main. It wasn’t long before the officer found that the conflict was between the suspect and victim.
Armijo had been discovered inside the restaurant in the process of stealing cash, meat cleavers, food, and a laptop. He was interrupted when the owner responded to the silent alarm that had been triggered when Armijo broke in.
The owner confronted him and attempted to detain him. The two fought briefly until Armijo was able to break away and run. The restaurant owner’s son caught up and the two squared off. Armijo was able to land a bunch before the restaurant owner’s son tackled him to the ground and held him until police arrived.
Armijo was then arrested and booked for possession of burglary tools, burglary, robbery, vandalism, and probation violation. No firearm was found during the investigation.
