Mesa police arrested a Circle K manager Tuesday in connection with a robbery that occurred one day earlier at the convenience store where he worked.
Police said store manager Allen Baker, 61, conspired with his sister’s boyfriend in a staged robbery Monday at the Circle K on Southern Avenue between Mesa and Stapley drives.
Baker told police that a man wearing a stocking on his head pushed him and stole the store’s deposit bag containing more than $6,000. Baker said the man then ran behind the store and escaped in a vehicle.
Police said Baker later identified 51-year-old Mark Brown from a photo lineup as the man who robbed him. While investigating Brown’s background, police found that he shares a Gilbert address with Baker and his sister.
Police said detectives grew suspicious of the relationship between Baker and the suspect and decided to question Baker again Tuesday afternoon.
Court records show that Baker initially denied that he knew Brown. The Circle K manager later admitted to police that his sister lives with Brown, and the two had been with him just a few days before the robbery, discussing strategies for stealing money from Circle K stores.
Police said Brown, who remains at large, worked at another Circle K store at Guadalupe and Dobson roads.
Baker also told police that he quit his managing job Tuesday morning and was planning on moving to Indiana.
Police arrested Baker on suspicion of conspiracy and filing a false police report.
“It’s very strange,” Mesa police spokesman Chris Arvayo said. “When you plug everything in it just doesn’t make sense."
