Wallet Thief Attempted to Hide in Stranger’s Bathroom

Wallet Thief Attempted to Hide in Stranger’s Bathroom

The 76 station where this incident occurred

FRESNO – A woman believed to have robbed two women at a 76 Gas Station was later found hiding in a stranger’s bathroom, police said.

Authorities said that 43-year-old Lorena Gonzalez went up to a woman and her friend as they were pumping gas at a 76 Station at Shaw Avenue and First Street. When the pair refused to give Gonzalez a ride, she climbed into the driver’s seat and refused to get out, police said.

When one of the women told the suspect to get out of the van, Gonzalez warned her that she had a gun and then stole the victim’s wallet, which was sitting on the van’s dashboard, police said.

Gonzalez took off running with the wallet, but a clerk from the gas station chased her and reported to 911 operators that Gonzalez was somewhere near Fairmont Avenue and Fourth Street, police said.

Officers used a police dog to track Gonzalez to a home in the 3400 block of East Fairmont Avenue. The residents at the home were standing in the front yard and told the officers that a woman had run into their home and was hiding in their bathroom, police said

Officers arrested Gonzalez, who is now facing robbery charges.

Wallet Thief Attempted to Hide in Stranger’s Bathroom was last modified: May 4th, 2016 by admin
Categories: Fresno

About Author

Elizabeth Warmerdam

Beth Warmerdam is a freelance journalist based out of Reedley. She graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a BA in print journalism and has worked for several newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing, Beth enjoys being a stay-at-home mom, trying to keep up with her 2-year-old son, Zachary.