Gas station larceny
Area police search for thief

Mckinley County Sheriff officers walk away from a convienence store while securing and investigating a robbery incident at the location. [photo by Daniel Zollinger / Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

TSE BONITO — Authorities converged on a Tse Bonito gas station and convenience store Wednesday to investigate a suspected larceny.

McKinley County sheriff’s deputies blocked off the two entrances to the Giant Gas Station at about 10:50 a.m. and continued their inquiry all afternoon.

A few deputies even carried AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifles as they walked to and from the business.

It was initially suspected by passers-by that the incident was an armed robbery; however, authorities later clarified the event was a larceny and that and undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the business.

Employees at the pizza restaurant that adjoins the gas station declined comment about the situation as did Giant officials who arrived at the business at about 1:30 p.m.

Sgt. Albert Benally, of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department, said he expects to release additional details about the theft Thursday morning. The incident may have been captured on a business surveillance camera.

Investigators conducted interviews with persons of interest in the case Wednesday afternoon. Benally said an arrest is pending.