Two suspects identified in Petaluma gas station theft

Police say two men restrained a clerk and stole cigarettes at a Texaco gas station in May.|
PAUL PAYNE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Petaluma police say two Sonoma County jail inmates are responsible for the strong-arm robbery of a gas station earlier this year.

Nirut Gowing, 32, and Loren Burke, 28, are suspected in the May 11 robbery of a Texaco station on Petaluma Boulevard South.

The men, both transients from Santa Rosa, admitted restraining the clerk while stealing cigarettes, Sgt. Ed Crosby said.

Both were already in custody on unrelated charges. They appear in court Tuesday on the new allegations.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.

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