Deputies arrest gunman in Pasco and Benton City convenience store robberies

A 30-year-old Finley man is in jail for robbing a Benton City convenience store on Tuesday and two stores in Pasco since Saturday, said investigators.

Benton County sheriff’s deputies tracked Zachary Weisbeck to a Kennewick home shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Detectives, patrol deputies and the gang team were serving search warrants at several locations in Kennewick in connection to the armed robbery, the sheriff’s office said on its Facebook page.

Police believe Weisbeck went into the Just a Minit Mart on Ninth Street shortly before 4:45 p.m. and held the clerk at gunpoint, demanding cash.

Officers scoured the area, including bringing in a police dog.

Investigators now believe Weisbeck also robbed Kim’s Conoco in Pasco twice in the span of three days, said Pasco Sgt. Rigo Pruneda.

Weisbeck, dressed in an off-white hooded sweatshirt and a bandana over his face walked into Kim’s Conoco at 1909 W. Court St. just after 10 p.m. on Saturday, and pointed a silver handgun at the clerk and left with cash.

Then, at 12:45 p.m. Monday, he pointed a small black handgun at the clerk and demanded money, said police.

After grabbing cash and other items, he ran north toward an alley.