The Albuquerque Police Department arrested a man who they believe robbed as many as nine gas stations within a month.
The Albuquerque Police Department arrested a man who they believe robbed as many as nine gas stations within a month.
Six of the gas stations were Chevrons. In each robbery Clinton James Walker, 29, showed a gun or a knife and demanded cash from the register just as he was purchasing cigarettes, sodas or chips from the convenience store.
Walker was taken into custody on Feb. 9 after Karleen Cyphert, who was just outside the Chevron gas station in the 2500 block of Fourth NW, called police and followed the bandit’s car after he robbed the gas station. Since then, APD detectives have linked Walker to eight more robberies. On Friday, Mayor Richard J. Berry recognized Cyphert for her heroics.
“For us to be successful in our fight against property crime, we need to get the entire community involved,” Berry said. “Ms. Cyphert did the right thing by watching the vehicle and calling police. Undoubtedly, Walker would have continued to rob more gas stations had it not been for Ms. Cyphert.”
The robbery spree started Jan. 8 and continued about every two to three days until Walker’s capture. In most of the robberies Walker showed a gun and was wearing a beanie on his head. At first he appeared like a normal customer until he pulled out a weapon just after the clerk opened the register.
On Feb. 9 Walker walked into the Chevron gas station about 7:30 p.m., put a five-dollar bill on the counter and asked for a pack of Marlboro cigarettes. Walker pulled out a large knife just after the clerk placed the cigarettes and his change on the counter. Walker shouted “This is a robbery. Don’t do anything stupid.” The bandit then reached into the register and took about $125 in cash. Cyphert, who works for the gas station, was on the phone with the clerk when the robbery occurred. She was in the area and saw Walker get into his car and sped off. The woman chased after the bandit and called police. She was able to give a 911 dispatcher a vehicle description, license plate, and the direction the car was going. Officers soon arrived and took Walker into custody.
Detectives connected Walker to the other robberies after they found clothing he wore to several of the hold ups in his vehicle. They also examined video surveillance of all of the other robberies and were able to determine it was Walker.
