(Latisha Romine – Daily Press)
ARTESIA — An Artesia man was arrested Friday morning in connection with an armed robbery, during which he fired shots at the manager of a local convenience store.
Artesia Police Department (APD) officers were dispatched around 6 a.m. Friday to the Allsup’s at 800 S. First St. in reference to an armed robbery in progress. The suspect had fled the store, running northbound on South First Street, then westbound on West Washington Avenue.
The store’s manager had pursued the suspect, who proceeded to turn near the intersection of Washington and South Second Street and fire several shots at the manager. The manager was uninjured, but several pieces of property in the area were hit, including a residence.
The suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Audien Cazares, continued west and attempted a carjacking at the intersection of Washington and South Roselawn Avenue. Cazares was unable to steal the vehicle, however, and continued running west. The vehicle’s driver was unharmed.
An APD officer observed Cazares jumping the fence of a residence near Washington and South Fourth Street and was able to capture him without further incident.
Cazares was charged with 12 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault in the commission of a violent felony, shooting at a motor vehicle, shooting at an occupied residence, robbery, three counts of criminal damage to property, receiving stolen property, two counts of tampering with evidence, and concealing identity.
He has yet to be arraigned.
