LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A Las Vegas man said he committed robberies because his job doesn’t pay well, and he has a sick daughter.
Las Vegas police released the arrest report of Jose Manuel Arce-Martinez to FOX5. He’s faces four counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, burglary with a firearm and concealed carry without a permit.
Police said he robbed various taco trucks, stands and restaurants between Jan. 21 to 26.
The first incident happened that Tuesday morning at a taco truck. Police say Arce-Martinez approached the truck from behind and pulled out a black handgun.
The victim gave $400 from the register. He would flee in a light blue pickup truck.
The next robbery happened two days later in west Las Vegas. Arce-Martinez allegedly approached a taco stand and threatened victims with a black semi-automatic firearm.
He took $700 in cash from the register and the victim’s phones.
The next day, Arce-Martinez was near the Historic Westside area. Police say he entered the business and began to order.
At some point, police say he pulled out a black firearm. The victim gave him $750.
During this robbery, the suspect told the business he had a sick daughter and his job does not pay enough.
He took a gold necklace from another victim and then fled. Video surveillance at this location showed he drove a 1990s Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck.
The last robbery happened near Rancho and Vegas drives. The suspect demanded money again with a firearm.
When the victim said there was no money to give, Arce-Martinez allegedly took a jacket with debit cards, a driver’s license and a social security card.
After getting briefed about the robberies, a patrol vehicle spotted what was believed to be the suspect vehicle near the Rancho location.
The suspect description also matched.
Police saw the pickup park at a nearby AutoZone. Police were able to take him into custody and find the black firearm.
He told police in an interview that he did not know anything about the robberies. He said he was a mechanic and that his daughter was sick.
Because he matched the description of the crimes and was found with the items he took such as the wallet and necklace, he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
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