A Sweet Home man was arrested early Tuesday morning, March 20, after allegedly robbing the Shell gas station and convenience store at 1306 Main St. earlier in the evening, Police Chief Bob Burford said.
Jason Wesly Brown, 39, was arrested after Sweet Home police officers found evidence connected to the holdup of the gas station, which occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m. Monday night.
According to Burford, a man wearing a mask entered the store, confronted the clerks and threatened them with a knife while demanding cash. He then fled the business, running southeast across Highway 20, carrying an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police, using witness statements and video surveillance, were later able to identify a suspect, Burford said.
A few hours later, police went to the Brown’s home, located a few blocks from the robbery and learned that he had driven to Lebanon.
Plainclothed officers went to Lebanon and located Brown at Shari’s Restaurant. While they were interviewing him, he asked to use the restroom. As soon as he had left the restroom area an officer entered and found cash that had been hidden inside, Burford said.
At approximately 4:40 a.m. a search warrant was served at Brown’s home, 1201 15th Ave. Burford said officers found and seized evidence related to the robbery and recovered the weapon used.
Brown was charged with first-degree robbery and was transported to Linn County Jail.