A routine gas stop in Hillsborough turned into a would-be stickup on Friday, but police say the woman at the pump was the one who shut it down. As she was leaving the BP station on Cardinal Drive, a man allegedly pointed a gun at her driver's-side door. According to officers, she pushed the weapon away, climbed into her truck and called 911. Police later tracked down a suspect and recovered what they say was the gun used in the attempt.
As reported by ABC11, the woman told investigators she had been pumping gas when she noticed a man loitering near the dumpsters. She went inside the store and, when she returned, the same man walked up to the driver's side of her vehicle and pointed a gun at her. Police say she shoved it away, got into her truck and called 911 as the suspect ran toward the nearby McDonald's. Officers later identified the man as Raul Elias Bu Zuniga, who is facing attempted armed robbery and possession of cocaine charges.
Surveillance footage led officers to suspect
Investigators reviewed the station's surveillance video and began searching the area. They eventually found a man hiding in a nearby bathroom and took him into custody without further incident. "The gun used in the attempted robbery was recovered from his backpack," police told ABC11. Authorities booked the suspect into the Orange County jail.
Charges and custody
Hillsborough police identified the arrestee as Raul Elias Bu Zuniga and say he is being held without bond. The Orange County Detention Center in Hillsborough processes local arrests and posts daily custody reports, and the sheriff's office provides facility and booking information online via the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Police have asked anyone with information or dashcam video from the BP or surrounding area to contact investigators. This story will be updated if officials release additional details.
