Police arrest man accused of robbing South Phoenix pizza parlor

PHOENIX - Phoenix Police have arrested a man who allegedly robbed a Little Caesar's restaurant Wednesday night. The robbery occurred around 8 p.m. near 74th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

According to police, 46-year-old Juan Ricardo Naranjo entered the business, showed a handgun to the clerk, and demanded cash from the register. Naranjo was given cash, and then asked for some pizzas. The clerk gave him the pizzas and the suspect fled.

A witness saw what was going on in the store and watched the suspect enter a Chevy Cavalier. The witness was able to get a license plate number and immediately called police to report what they had seen. Officers were able to confirm the robbery and investigated the suspect vehicle further.

Robbery detectives were notified on Thursday and immediately began investigating. Detectives were able to identify Naranjo as the suspect and he was taken into custody in the area of 80th Avenue and Buckeye Road. He was booked on armed robbery charges.

Witnesses reported seeing a second person in the vehicle as it left the robbery scene. Phoenix Police are asking anyone who might have information regarding the robbery to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.