INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An arrest has been made in the robberies of two gas stations on consecutive nights earlier this week.
On June 14 and 15, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to robbery calls at local convenience stores, according to authorities. Citgo, located at 8530 U.S. 1 in Wabasso, was robbed on June 14 at approximately 10:22 p.m. by a man wearing a bandanna over his face, who produced a knife and demanded money.
The Shell Gas Station, located at 5325 U.S. 1, was robbed the next night at approximately the same time, by a man also with his face concealed, who presented a gun, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Yesterday, after reviewing video from both robberies and following up on several leads, detectives with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office identified a suspect, Alan Lopez, 29, of Vero Beach.
Lopez was taken into custody on unrelated charges of organized scheme to defraud and uttering a forged or counterfeit check. He was interviewed and subsequently admitted to both robberies.
Today, Lopez was arrested on warrants for robbery while wearing a mask, robbery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery, according to authorities. He is being held at the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.
“I commend the work of our detective bureau to identify, locate and apprehend Lopez before someone was hurt,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “We know that so many of these cases revolve around drug addiction. It is a safer day in Indian River County with Lopez off the streets and behind bars where he belongs.”
