It didn’t take Prosser police long to nab this robbery suspect

A Prosser man is behind bars today after an early Tuesday morning robbery at a Prosser gas station.

Jose Madrigal, 21, walked into the Ameristar gas station on Merlot Drive shortly before 4 a.m. carrying a backpack. He allegedly told the clerk he had a gun in his backpack before forcing him into a back room, Officer Mark Cole said. Madrigal tried to use a ladder to bar the door. He then stole cash and other items and left, police said.

Investigators are working to determine whether Madrigal had a gun.

Prosser police got a report that the suspect was at the Best Western Inn a block away from the gas station. When they arrived with Benton County sheriff’s deputies, they found Madigal outside.

He was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery about two hours after crime occurred.