Kennewick man in custody after trying to rob a store, say police

A Kennewick man is in custody after the Sunday evening robbery of a Pasco convenience store.

Pasco police arrested Rafeal Mejia-Virrueta, 45, on suspicion of first-degree robbery. He was being held Monday at the Franklin County jail.

A clerk at the A&A Mini-Mart at 919 W. Court St. said a man walked into the store with his face covered by a red bandanna and wearing gloves shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday.

He demanded money from her as she stood behind the register, said Pasco Sgt. Rigo Pruneda.

The clerk said he was holding something that might have been a long-arm gun.

The clerk was in shock and instead of opening the register she stood up and walked toward the back of the store to alert the owners, Pruneda said.

The robber left, but police were able to get a description of him and his clothing from store video.

Within half an hour, Pasco officer Mike Nelson spotted Mejia-Virreuta, who matched the description, walking near North 10th Avenue and West Shoshone Street and arrested him, Pruneda said.