Armed Robbery at South St. Paul Gas Station: Suspect Identified and Arrested
SOUTH ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - Around 6:03 PM on Thursday, February 8, 2024, South St. Paul Police Officers were called to a Speedway Gas Station for the report of a robbery that had occurred at the business. When officers arrived at the gas station, the suspect had already fled the scene.
According to the criminal complaint released by the Dakota County Attorney's Office, an employee was working behind the counter when a male walked up to the counter holding a knife in his right hand and demanded the employee open the register. Once the register was opened, the male ordered the employee to give him all the money. Once the employee had given the suspect all the money, he left the store in a dark blue Toyota Camry. The employee described the knife as a steak knife with a six to eight-inch serrated blade and a wooden handle.
Officers reviewed surveillance video from the gas station and confirmed the information provided to them by the victim. The suspect was said to be wearing a navy zip-up sweatshirt, dark Nike athletic pants, and a brown and orange knit hat. Based on the information, police were able to identify the suspect as possibly Anthony Rubio. Police could use known photographs of Rubio and compare them to the surveillance video to get a match. Additionally, Rudio was registered to have a dark blue Toyota Corolla. Surveillance video from the gas station also matched his vehicle.
On Friday, February 9th, officers obtained and executed a search warrant on Rubio's residence in South St Paul, where Rubio was arrested. He declined to give police a statement, but officers were able to seize a navy zip-up sweatshirt, multiple pairs of dark-colored Nike athletic pants, a three-pack of knits hats with one missing, and a gray case containing a set of steak knives with black handles, according to the criminal complaint.
The criminal complaint states that Rubio had previous convictions for Assault 2, which involved using a knife, and Aggravated Robbery, which involved a firearm. Anthony Rubio was reportedly charged with 1st Degree Aggravated Robbery, which comes with a 3-20-year sentence and/or a fine of $10,500 to $35,000. His bond was set at $100,000 without conditions and $30,000 with conditions. As of when this article was written, his bond has not been paid, and he remains in Dakota County Jail. His next court date is March 7, 2024, at 1:30 PM in Hasting, Minnesota.
Dakota County Jail