RICHMOND – A 32-year-old man suspected of robbing Councilman Eduardo Martinez at gunpoint was arrested on October 31st and is being held at the nearby Martinez Detention Facility.
Councilman Martinez was robbed on October 26th at 9:45 p.m., while he was leaving a candidates forum at Riggers Loft Wine Co., 1325 Canal Boulevard.
A local resident, whom police have not identified, apparently confessed that he robbed Martinez, while he was being questioned by a Richmond detective who discovered the suspect was also the same man suspected of stealing a recently recovered stolen vehicle, a Toyota 4Runner SUV.
The suspect was charged with armed robbery, vehicle theft, and possession of stolen items.
Police determined the suspect used the stolen Toyota as the getaway car when Martinez was robbed. It was identified by reviewing surveillance video near the scene of the robbery, said Lt. Felix Tan. Employees at the Port of Richmond later found the stolen vehicle abandoned near the port.
The victim of the stolen Toyota and the councilman gave corroborating descriptions of the suspect to Richmond police. A pistol that police believe was used during the robbery was found inside the recovered stolen vehicle.
