A midnight robber who demanded cash from a clerk at the Chevron gas station convenience store shortly before 1 a.m. Monday in the 1200 block of West Yosemite Avenue was apprehended within minutes by Manteca Police Officer Benedict Jemerigbe who also recovered the stolen cash.
Police arrested Damian Anthony Chavez, 18, of Manteca who allegedly fled on foot after the robbery.  Officers noted there had been the mention of a gun during the robbery and adding that no gun was actually seen at the station or found during the arrest.
Officer Jemerigbe located the suspect in the 100 block of El Portal Avenue about 500 yards east of the Chevron station where he was still on foot. The officer radioed his dispatcher that he had spotted the suspect, adding that the man was running from him. Jemerigbe was able to catch up to the suspect in the parking lot of 141 El Portal Avenue, south of West Yosemite Avenue where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Video surveillance obtained from the convenience store along with witness identification of the suspect assisted the investigating officers. Chavez was transported and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp.
Chavez was charged with two felonies: robbery in the second degree and for threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize, police said.  He is being held in lieu of $350,000 bail with a court date set for Wednesday at 1:25 p.m. in the Manteca Branch of the San Joaquin County Superior Court.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.