El Centro, California - Friday, at approximately 1:50 AM, Officers from the El Centro Police Department were dispatched to 2499 N. Cottonwood Cir; (Jack In The Box) in reference to an armed robbery in progress. The suspect was last seen leaving in the direction of Chase Bank on foot. The suspect left the location with cash which he had demanded from the employees place in paper bags while wielding a knife in the process.
In less than four minutes, El Centro Police Officers, assisted by Imperial Police arrived in the area and located the suspect running through a dirt lot near Sonic. Officers were able to safely capture the suspect incident. The suspect was later identified as Anthony Martinez (30 years old). Martinez attempted to rid himself of his clothing, the disguise used and the money taken in the robbery. Numerous customers and employees were at the location during the robbery and were able to confirm and identify Martinez as the perpetrator. The money was returned to the business and Martinez was later booked at the Imperial County Jail for armed robbery (211 P.C.). Jack In The Box employees were grateful for our quick response and for our being able to return the money.