An accused armed robber caught on camera terrorizing Santa Rosa gas station employees has been arrested on Thursday night, police said.

Dramatic video shows the armed robbery, which happened at around 8:30 a.m., a busy time of day as customers heading to work were filling up gas.

Initially, the suspect got away from the 76 gas station on the corner of Piner Road and Coffey Lane, just west of Highway 101. 

“Put the money in the bag, get over here; you, put the money in the bag,” the robber was caught on camera saying.

Two employees complied and handed over the cash.

Before he left, the robber orders both workers face down on the floor.

That prevented them from seeing his get-a-way car or license plate number.

Nobody was physically hurt.

The suspect arrested has been identified as 42-year-old Kwanza Houston, of Santa Rosa.

The gas station owner tells KRON4 he’ll now be upgrading his video surveillance system.

Here is the full statement from police:

On Wednesday March 10th, after the robbery of the 76 gas Station located at 3230 Coffey Lane in Santa Rosa, Detectives from the Violent Crimes Investigations Team and Gangs Crimes Team took over the investigation. Several leads were developed on the case which led detectives to the Extended Stay Inn Hotel, located at 100 Fountaingrove Parkway.

Detectives located the vehicle they believed to have been used in the commission of the robbery and obtained information that the suspect was staying at the hotel. After surveilling the vehicle and the suspect, officers attempted to contact him as he entered his vehicle and attempted to drive away. The suspect was prevented from leaving the parking lot by incoming patrol units. The suspect exited the vehicle and ran, in an attempt to evade officers however, he was apprehended a short distance away.

Detectives located a loaded firearm, which they believed to have been used in the commission of the robbery. Detectives also located clothing the suspect was believed to have been wearing and money inside of the vehicle the suspect had fled from.

The suspect was identified as Kwanza Houston, a 42-year-old Santa Rosa resident. Houston was arrested for robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and probation violations. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail.

Anyone with information on this robbery is encouraged to call the Santa Rosa Police Department’s Violent Crimes Investigations team at (707) 543-3590. Further media inquiries can be forwarded to Sgt. Josh Ludtke. Email at jludtke@srcity.org or phone (707) 543-3593

WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON: 

>>MORE STORIES