Lamar Police Nab Would-Be Pizza Robber

Jose Garza

On September 26, 2012 at approximately 21:13 hours Lamar Police Officers responded to the Lamar Apartments, 708 S. Mullen, regarding the report of a male acting in a suspicious manner by looking through vehicle and apartment windows.

Upon the arrival in the area Officers observed a vehicle leaving the area. When police attempted to contact the vehicle, the occupants of the vehicle attempted to elude the officers. The vehicle was eventually stopped in the 400 block of E. Oak and one of the occupants fled the vehicle on foot.

Interviews at the scene developed information that the individuals in the car had called for a pizza delivery with the intent to rob the delivery man and that the party who had fled from the scene was Jose Garza. Officers were able to apprehend the fleeing suspect hiding behind a residence and he was identified as Jose Garza, DOB 08-30-1982, of Lamar. Garza proved to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest and was also charged with the robbery attempt. He was transported to the Prowers County Jail where he was held on a $16,000 bond.

Editor’s Note:
Dora Garcia, General Manager of the Lamar Pizza Hut, was contacted by this reporter concerning the amount of cash a delivery person has on hand. She explained that a delivery person usually carries $15 in their beginning bank, but sometimes comes back with less as they usually will have made change to a customer. Garcia said some callers, when placing an order, will state they may need change of a $50 bill, and in light of these circumstances, and to protect their employees, a more specific check on this type of call will be monitored before a delivery is sent out.

By Russ Baldwin