He thought he was buying a car. But they robbed him instead

Two people are behind bars after allegedly luring a man to a Richland parking lot and robbing him.

A man met the robbers — a woman and man — at 9 p.m. Saturday in a parking lot at 2610 N. Columbia Center Blvd. thinking he was going to buy a vehicle, Richland police said. After he handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, the woman pulled out a gun and demanded the he hand over the rest of his money.

After the victim complied, the two fled in an SUV.

Richland police did not say how the couple contacted the man, if they knew each other or how much was stolen.

The victim did not give up, police said. He hopped in his own vehicle and began following them while calling 911.

Pasco police picked up the trail as reports came in about the red SUV heading east on Interstate 182.

Sgt. Chad Pettijohn spotted the vehicle pulling onto Court Street and into a Jack in the Box parking lot. He pulled in right behind her, and confronted her when she stepped out of the vehicle.

After putting handcuffs on her, he found a pistol in the waistband of her leggings, Pasco police said. Her partner was found inside of the SUV as well.

The pair were arrested and booked into Benton County jail.

This story was originally published December 3, 2017 at 8:55 AM with the headline "He thought he was buying a car. But they robbed him instead."