Photo: Image of stolen cash drawer | All photos courtesy of Pleasanton PD
Image of replica rifle | All photos courtesy of Pleasanton PD
PLEASANTON — A parolee allegedly used a replica rifle to commit a retail store robbery. Mario M. Robinson, a 33-year-old Richmond resident, is behind bars at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail. He is scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing on July 18.
Officers placed Robinson under arrest July 9 at 10:15 p.m. He was caught following a brief pursuit on foot along Stoneridge Mall Road in Pleasanton. The suspect has two prior convictions for second-degree robberies in 2021.
Robinson allegedly entered a store on Bernal Avenue, at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 9. Wearing black clothing and a black ski mask, the robber demanded money from the cash register. The perpetrator stuffed the till containing cash into a duffel bag, and then he fled with roughly $230.
Responding officers found frightened store employees locked inside a back office. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the employees who were relieved when the police arrived.
Officers tracked down the suspect a short distance away. They recovered a duffel bag containing the till, a ski mask and an airsoft rifle, which fooled the store employees. The fake rifle can fire projectiles like a BB gun or pellet gun.
Twelve charges were filed against Robinson on July 11. His charges pertain to second-degree robbery of vulnerable victims, while armed or using a weapon. Robinson also faces revocation of his parole status for his prior robbery convictions.
