Robbery suspect taken into custody

Staff of Lowe’s Home Improvement and a “great witness” helped police arrest an armed robbery suspect Wednesday night, according to Clovis Police Capt. Roman Romero.

Romero said a 55-year-old woman was robbed of her phone and purse by a man with a firearm in the Lowe’s parking lot about 5:15 p.m.

Daniel Acosta, 27, was taken into custody soon after the robbery. He was located and arrested at Motel 7 on Mabry Drive.

“Detectives were able to review video footage and observed a male identified as (Acosta) removing what appeared to be a handgun from the vehicle,” police stated in a news release.

“Detectives obtained search warrants … which resulted in the recovery of a sawed-off shotgun and the handgun believed to have been used in this robbery.”

Acosta was being held without bond Friday in the Curry County jail.

Police on Thursday also questioned a second suspect, believed to have been driving the vehicle that transported Acosta to and from the Lowe’s. He was not initially charged.

The unidentified “great witness” and Lowe’s staff helped police identify the vehicle and provided the robbery suspect’s description, Romero said. Acosta also faces charges on a previous arrest warrant for robbery.

No one was injured during the robbery, police said.

“The successful investigation and arrest of Daniel Acosta is a direct result of the community and police coming together,” the police news release stated. “The Clovis Police Department would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the community and especially the citizens who took the time out of their busy lives to help us solve this crime.”