Hot Springs police on Tuesday identified the suspect being sought in connection with Friday's robbery of a local gas station as James Lee Chase, 53, of Hot Springs, after receiving multiple tips from the public.
Chase is being sought on felony warrants for aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, and theft of property by threat, punishable by up to 20 years, for the robbery of the Shell Grand Food Mart, 900 E. Grand Ave.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police at 321-6789.
Police stressed that if anyone sees Chase they should call 911 and not attempt to approach him.
According to earlier reports, officers responded to the Shell around 10 a.m. Friday regarding an aggravated robbery that had just occurred. The clerk stated a man came into the store, claimed to have a gun and demanded money.
The man fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured and no firearm was ever seen.
Upon further investigation and with tips from social media after still shots from security video of the suspect were posted, he was identified as Chase, police said Tuesday.
"Chase is possibly using taxi services and staying in local motels in the Hot Springs area," police said. "He may also be using a bicycle as a form of transportation."
One of the store's security photos showed the suspect getting on a bicycle before fleeing the scene.
Local on 03/06/2019