North Coast robbery suspect brings back money, waits for police

Almost three hours after robbing a gas station in Eureka, the 23-year-old suspect had a change of heart, returned to the gas station on the 1000 block of Broadway and returned the money, police said.

Cyle Warren Abbott Jr. of Eureka is suspected of entering the gas station shortly before 6:14 a.m. on Sunday and brandishing a black semiautomatic handgun, according to a statement from the Eureka police department.

Abbott Jr. demanded money and was given a small, undisclosed amount of cash before he fled the scene, taking with him two bottles of beer, police said.

Police officers responded to the scene but could not find the suspect.

However, shortly after 9 a.m. the gas station assistant manager telephoned the Eureka dispatch to report the robbery suspect had returned. When police went back to the gas station they found Abbott Jr. waiting in a bathroom to surrender, police said.

He had already returned most of the money to a gas station employee.

The suspect apologized for the crime and told police that he was trying to turn his life around. He told police he was hoping to use the money he stole to get out of town and start new somewhere else, police said.

Abbott Jr. reported that the firearm he used was a loaded BB gun and that he had tossed it in a grassy area on the west side of California Street near West Clark Street while fleeing the gas station. Police said he took officers to the spot where he tossed the gun, but it could not be located, police said.

Abbott Jr. was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and arrested on suspicion of robbery and a probation violation. His bail was set at $50,000.

Anyone who has information concerning this incident, including the whereabouts of the pistol, is asked to call the Eureka Police Department at 441-4060 during normal business hours or 441-4044 after hours.