GLENDORA >> Two would-be bandits from the Inland Empire tried unsuccessfully to rob a Route 66 gas station early Saturday before leading police on a chase that ended with a crash, and their arrests, officials said.
Police jailed Michael Anthony Moore, 21, of Highland and Marcel Niel Man, 21, of Riverside following the failed robbery, which unfolded about 12:30 a.m. at Mobile gas station at Route 66 and Grand Avenue, according to Glendora police officials and Los Angeles County booking records.
A robber, later identified as Moore, entered the gas station with a handgun and demanded money from the clerk, Glendora police Lt. Rob Lamborghini said.
“An altercation occurred immediately after that,” he said. “The suspect fled without getting any money.”
As the gunman ran from the store, the gas station attendant flagged down a police officer who happened to be passing by on patrol and pointed out the robbery suspect, who was running down the street, Lamborghini said.
The officer caught up with the suspect just as he got into the passenger side of an Infiniti sedan, which sped away, police said.
The driver of the getaway car, later identified as Mann, led officers on a short chase that ended with a crash just over half a mile to the south at Grand Avenue and Armstead street, Lamborghini said. The Infiniti went out of control as the driver tried to make a turn and crashed into a vacant corner house, which was under construction.
“It didn’t go through the well, but it definitely went into the wall,” Lamborghini said.
Police took both suspects into custody at the crash scene, he said. A loaded gun was recovered from the car.
Moore was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, police said. Officials took Mann to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries suffered in the crash before booking him on suspicion of attempted robbery and evading police.
Moore was being held in lieu of $100,00 pending his initial court appearance, while Mann was being held in lieu of $52,000 bail, records show. Both were scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in West Covina Superior Court.