Police: Windsor Safeway clerk confronted by armed shoplifting suspect

A shoplifting suspect pointed a handgun at a Safeway store clerk in Windsor Wednesday night before fleeing from the scene in a dark SUV, authorities said.

The Windsor Police Department and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call at ?9:10 p.m. at 9080 Brooks Road South, Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

The suspect had been in the checkout lane, placing several items on the belt to be purchased. The man then told the clerk he would be right back and left the store, Crum said.

After waiting for about five minutes, the clerk began placing the items back in a cart to be restocked. The suspect entered the store and began arguing with the clerk. At the same time, the clerk noticed a woman leaving the store with merchandise she didn’t purchase.

After the woman left the store, the suspect finished his argument and left. The two got into the SUV and the clerk confronted them in the Safeway parking lot, Crum said. The man got out of the passenger side and quickly approached the clerk, Crum said. The suspect pulled out a silver colored semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at the clerk. The clerk retreated to the store and called 911.

The male suspect had a shaved head, goatee and tattoos. He wore sunglasses around the back of his head and was wearing a black, short-sleeved “Gas Monkey Garage” T-shirt.