A Sonoma man is behind bars after allegedly holding up a Glen Ellen convenience store at gunpoint, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said. Joseph Wittig, 34, reportedly stormed into a shop on Arnold Drive near closing time on March 5 and forced the clerk to empty the cash register.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Wittig became impatient when the clerk initially refused to hand over the money. That's when Wittig revealed a handgun strapped to his waistband, prompting the clerk to negotiate the safe departure of other customers before complying. Once alone, the clerk handed over the cash, and Wittig dashed to his car — but not before bizarrely leaving a jar of marijuana on the counter, as detailed by the Sonoma Sheriff’s Facebook post.
Detectives quickly took the reins of the investigation, using surveillance footage to pinpoint Wittig's identity. The sleuths tracked him down the following day on Lovall Valley Road in Sonoma, where he was apprehended without incident. Further evidence tying Wittig to the heist was discovered subsequently during a search of his home, where officers retrieved a replica firearm among other items linked to the robbery.
Wittig, now facing a felony robbery charge, added to his troubles when he allegedly destroyed a phone while being processed at the jail. The incident has resulted in an additional misdemeanor vandalism charge, setting his bail at a steep $101,000. More details of the case can be gleaned from Case numbers: 240305019, and 240306013.
