Suspect Arrested After Two Bomb Scare Robberies
February 26, 2008
24-year-old
Nicholas Tehan of Mesa was arrested on Monday February 25, 2008,
after an alleged Armed Robbery and Armed Robbery attempt in Mesa
within a one hour time period.
The first robbery occurred at the Circle K convenience store,
located at 809 E. Southern in Mesa at 10:57 am. Tehan allegedly
entered the store carrying a duffle bag. He told two store
employees that there was a bomb in the bag and he demanded
twenty dollars from them. Tehan threatened to detonate the bomb
if he did not receive the money. The employees complied with his
request and provided him with twenty dollars. Tehan fled the
scene in a vehicle and police were notified.
Approximately one hour later Tehan allegedly entered the 7-11
convenience store, located at 2810 E. Baseline in Mesa. He
walked into the store with a duffle bag and put the bag on the
counter. He told an employee that he had a bomb in the bag and
demanded twenty dollars. Once again Tehan threatened to detonate
the bomb if he did not receive the money. The employee stalled
Tehan, telling him that he was having trouble with the cash
register. Tehan again threatened to detonate the bomb if he did
not get the money. Tehan then put the alleged bomb near the door
and walked outside to the parking lot. Tehan entered his vehicle
and began to drive away. He stopped, exited his car and walked
back inside of the store. Tehan did not know that the clerk had
already contacted the police. Tehan demanded money again. The
employee did not give Tehan the money and he exited the store,
where patrol officers arrested him without further incident.
A Mesa Police Bomb Technician responded to the scene and checked
Tehan's vehicle and the bag for explosive materials. The search
produced negative results for any explosive.ces or
materials. Tehan was positively identified as the suspect in
both robbery investigations. During a post-Miranda interview
Tehan admitted to the robberies.
Tehan was booked on suspicion of Armed Robbery and Attempted
Armed Robbery. As of this writing, his release and bond status
are unknown.