Officer's diligence helps catch suspect in Circle K assault

PHOENIX - Authorities say one officer's diligent work helped catch a man suspected of assaulting a Circle K store clerk earlier this month.

Phoenix police say Officer Kristopher Bertz learned of the incident that happened February 5 at the store at Central Avenue and Dobbins Road and over the next few days contacted people at apartment complexes within walking distance from the store, along with talking to other local business owners.

Bertz showed surveillance photos from the incident in which the suspect pointed a gun at the clerk, a struggle took place over the weapon and a shot was fired through the glass door. The clerk had told the suspect he couldn't sell him beer right then because he was dealing with a recent delivery.

Police say one person told Bertz they recognized the suspect but did not know his name. Bertz left contact information and asked to be called if the individual saw the suspect again.

On February 16 Bertz got a call from the witness who said the suspect was at a laundromat nearby.

Bertz and other officers responded and began surveillance of the laundromat when the suspect, identified as Charles Avery, came out of the facility wearing a similar "LA Dodgers" hat worn during the aggravated assault incident and similar house-style slippers and shorts.

Avery, 22, was detained in the parking lot and the firearm suspected of having been used during the attack on the store clerk was found on him.

Officers learned Avery lives just around the corner from the Circle K where the attack occurred.

Avery reportedly admitted to being involved in the incident. The female suspect who was with Avery during the February 5 incident has been identified but is not in custody.

Avery was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.