Eureka Police Dept. Press Release:

On 9-7-13 at about 6:22 am, officers of the Eureka Police Department responded to an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Patriot Gas Station (1711 Broadway). 

Upon the officer’s arrival, the clerk advised that a black male adult in his 40’s had entered the station carrying a newspaper. The suspect gathered a cup of coffee and an 18 pack of beer from the shelves. He then carried these items to the counter. 

While at the counter, he requested other items that were located behind the counter. Once the clerk had placed these items on the counter, the suspect pulled a dark colored item from his pocket and concealed it with the newspaper. The suspect demanded money from the clerk and stated that he had a gun and would shoot the clerk if his demands were not followed. The clerk advised that she was not able to open the register and also that a customer was approaching the door to the business. The suspect grabbed several items from counter and fled the business. 

The surveillance video for the station was reviewed and a complete description and image of the suspect was obtained. Officers searched the area, but were unable to locate the suspect. 

Later that evening, at about 10:17 pm, an officer saw a black male adult standing to the east side of the Stop and Shop Market (39 Wabash Avenue). The male matched the physical description and also was dressed in clothing that appeared to be the same as the suspect from the Patriot Gas Station robbery. The male was contacted and detained. He soon admitted to his involvement in the Patriot Gas Station robbery. He was taken into custody and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

The suspect was identified as Bobby Ray Wilson (54 years old of Eureka). Wilson was booked on a charge of robbery and is being held on $50,000.00 bail. 

The clerk was later contacted and she identified Wilson from a photo line-up as the suspect who had committed the robbery.