Transient Arrested for 47th Time After Armed Robbery at Convenience Store

A transient known to local law enforcement was arrested for the 47^th time on Saturday, this time for armed robbery among other charges.

Hermiston Police Department (HPD) officers found Tyler Wayne Jones, 34, hiding in a shed sometime after allegedly robbing a convenience store at gunpoint.

Lt. Randy Studebaker said HPD received a call just prior to 9 a.m. on Saturday about a male brandishing a gun in the 500 block of E. Main Street. When officers arrived, they were told the male committed an armed robbery of a convenience store at that location. During the robbery, the male allegedly pointed a gun at the store clerk and took a small amount of cash and some snacks. Officers were told the suspect placed those items in a distinctive bag he brought with him, before fleeing the area on foot.

From the description given by the clerk and the surveillance video, and despite the suspect wearing a mask, Studebaker said officers recognized the suspect as Jones, who had 46 prior arrests and 45 prior citations.

Studebaker said officers went to a shed in the 300 block of East Hurlburt Avenue where they knew Jones sometimes stayed and took him into custody without incident. During the arrest they recovered a handgun that had been stolen from a vehicle the previous day that was allegedly used in the robbery. Officers also recovered the clothing and the bag seen on the surveillance video.

On Friday, just before noon, an HPD officer took a theft report in the 200 block of East Hurlburt Avenue. The reporting party said they had left a gun in their car that they had inadvertently left unlocked at that location. When they returned about an hour later, they discovered the handgun and accessories were missing from the vehicle. The victim reported seeing a suspicious male in the area when they left their car, and shoe impressions were located near the scene of the theft.

Studebaker said the tread pattern on Jones’ shoes were similar to the shoe impressions located near the scene where the gun was stolen on Friday.

Jones was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, and felon in possession of a firearm. Studebaker said the case has been referred to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office and additional charges are possible.

“An armed robbery is an extremely violent crime, and it can be a tough case to solve,” said Studebaker. “We solved this one because our officers actively spend some time getting to know their city and the people on their beats. This is a great example of how community policing pays off. It also illustrates an important crime prevention tip we often share – lock your car, remove your keys, and take or hide your valuables.”