KCBD NewsChannel 11 LubbockLubbock family leads police to robbery suspect

Lubbock family leads police to robbery suspect

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Security camera footage provided by United Supermarkets Security camera footage provided by United Supermarkets
Johnathan Heath Riley (Provided by LSO) Johnathan Heath Riley (Provided by LSO)
Security camera footage provided by CVS Pharmacy Security camera footage provided by CVS Pharmacy
Security camera footage provided by CVS Pharmacy Security camera footage provided by CVS Pharmacy
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -

A Lubbock family helped track down a possible robbery suspect Wednesday night. They say they recognized the suspect vehicle from watching KCBD at 4.

The fuel station area at the United Supermarket at 82nd and Frankford was robbed around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

It started as a terrifying afternoon for a young employee at the fuel center.

Surveillance video shows a man with a gun in the girl's face and later at her back. The suspect escapes with an undisclosed amount of money and is seen leaving in a white Dodge Avenger without a bumper.

United originally shared photos from their surveillance cameras. Then, across the street, CVS noticed the same suspect vehicle had been in their parking lot an hour earlier. They also released photos, hoping that someone would spot the suspect's car.

And that's exactly what happened late Wednesday evening. Charles Milbern and his family say they're glad they were able to make a difference.

CVS cameras showed a man in a Texas Tech shirt and a baseball cap exit the car. When he returned to his car to leave, cameras show the Avenger also had no bumper.

"I've never been involved in nothing like this," Milbern said. "We were coming down the loop and we caught this car."

Milbern recognized the vehicle when he and his family were coming home from dinner on the South Loop.

"We saw it on the news this afternoon at four o'clock. We were told it was robbing the United there at 82nd and Frankford so we called it in to 911 and we followed it," Milbern said.

The man police took into custody at the Stripes near FM 1585 appeared to be wearing a Texas Tech shirt and a baseball cap - the same clothing worn by a man seen exiting the suspect vehicle at CVS.

The Milberns say they hope justice will be served.

"It makes me feel good that he'll probably get what he deserved," Milbern said.

Police confirm that Johnathan Riley, 31, was taken into custody on an outstanding city traffic ticket and was later charged with robbery.  He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.

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