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AZ man accused of robbing store twice in one day

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An Arizona man is facing charges after allegedly robbing a gas station twice in the same day, choking an employee and a customer.

Court records allege that 24-year-old Juna Francisco Thomas, of Bapchile, Arizona, walked into the Valero gas station near Gilbert and Riggs roads on April 6.

The clerk told police that Thomas walked behind the counter and grabbed the clerk by the neck and demanded money. The clerk opened the register and Thomas took the money. He then demanded the clerk begin hitting himself. Instead, the clerk offered Thomas three packs of cigarettes, who then left.

According to police, Thomas returned to the store later on and followed a woman and her 6-year-old daughter into the store. He allegedly grabbed the woman by the throat in front of her daughter and demanded money.

He then forced the woman and girl into the bathroom.

The clerk pressed an emergency button as Thomas left the store. Police located him near the business and arrested him.

He faces charges of aggravated assault, robbery and kidnapping.