La Mesa Police Apprehend Armed Robber
On December 21, 2012, at approximately 3:12 PM, a man armed with a handgun robbed the Murray Lake Liquor Store located at 5395 Lake Murray Boulevard, La Mesa. The lone male entered the store, pointed a handgun at the clerk, and demanded the money from the cash register. After the clerk complied, the suspect fled the store and was observed by witnesses fleeing the scene in a dark gray Mazda-6 northbound on Lake Murray Boulevard. The clerk and witnesses immediately called the police and described the suspect as a black male adult wearing a black bandana, black jacket, shorts, and a red Santa cap.
While en route to the call, La Mesa Police Officers observed the suspect driving the dark gray Mazda in the 5000 block of Baltimore Drive. With assistance from San Diego Police helicopter ABLE, officers initiated a vehicle stop and took the suspect into custody.
The firearm used during the robbery and the stolen cash were both recovered. The suspect was arrested and booked into County Jail on the listed charges:
Suspect: Bertho GAUTHIER, 23 years old, black male, from San Diego
Charges: 211 PC—Robbery
12022(a) PC—Armed w/ Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the La Mesa Police Department.
You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information in this case.
